Flying in the face of fear with Chris Tomaino
Original Picker, Chris Tomaino, has been with us since day one. Atop a flight of stairs in a tiny NYC venue, Chris brought our plays (and this event) to life in ways that live on - even today. He’s been a producer, a writer, a committee member, an actor, a raffle host and so much more. As we celebrate our twenty-fifth, we offer the biggest the bucket of love to the one and only.
Cheers to you, Christopher Francis.
Cherry Picking turns 25 this year - which means it’s due for a quarter-life crisis. What advice would you give to your past or future 25 year old self, or to Cherry Picking right now?
Oh wow, I would tell my 25-year-old self that this is going to be a huge part of your life. Many, many many of the people who have been a part of cherry picking and have become family.
It’s our Silver Anniversary this year – if you had your own heavy metal band what would you call it?
Silver Blade.
Tell us about the last time you tried something brand new?
This is an excellent question. And to be completely honest, I haven't done anything new in a long time. Which is something that I'm working on. That's one of the things that I love about it. Cherry picking is that it gives me an opportunity to step into fantasy for a while. And leave my life outside.
What is your CP core memory?
What was the play called? Something Brownies with Nicole Golden. We played two travelers who consume pot brownies while being detained at the airport.
If Cherry Picking were a cocktail (or mocktail), what would be in it?
Pomegranate vodka and soda in a Collins glass with three cherries topped with cherry juice.
Describe your summer 2025 using only emojis.
🥵🍒💤🎉♥️👐🚶🏊🚣🏇🧑🍳💃👬🌴🌈🌞🦞🍉
What’s keeping you going right now?
Another excellent question. My dog Teddy keeps me moving. We do everything together when I'm home. And my mom who always supports me, especially as an artist! And Clare who always creates the perfect event each year And gives me a chance to get on stage, which I rarely get a chance to do.