Performing Arts: Page 71
The Business of Laughter
Very Little Theatre inspires with Laughter on the 23rd Floor
“Even if he was a communist, why would he have cards printed up?” the writer asks, hearing that General George Marshall has just been accused by Joseph McCarthy of being a card-carrying communist. It’s just another day at the office — the crazy, neurotic, hysterical office for Lucus (Zachary Twardowski) as he tries to make it as a comedy writer for a major comedian against the pressures of lowering network standards and Cold War propaganda. Continue reading
Cottage Theatre’s Flying Circus
Tony Rust taps into Monty Python’s absurdist, ramshackle spirit
The Knights Who Say “Ni.” The Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog and the Gorge of Eternal Peril. A three-headed giant, a sorcerer named Tim and that petulant French sentry who threatens to “fart in your general direction” before vowing to “taunt you a second time.” Continue reading
Spin the Windmill!
Autumn is the perfect time to step into square dancing
“Spin the windmill,” yells out Tim Matteson, the caller for Eugene’s Spin City Square. He adds, “Flip the hourglass,” “Horseshoe turn” followed by “Split the outside couple.” As he calls out steps, eight dancers move about the floor, switching partners and sharing laughs. Continue reading
Monsters, Mayhem and Mel Brooks
The Actor’s Cabaret of Eugene brings Young Frankenstein to Life
“It’s Fronkonsteen!” he barks, steadfastly denying his monster-making roots in Transylvania. But when the death of his grandfather necessitates a trip back to the family castle, the temptation is too great. The young neuroscientist’s eyes glow as he reads through his infamous grandfather’s notes. He becomes possessed by possibility of creating life. The townsfolk, long horrified by the Frankenstein family business of animating corpses, don’t trust this transplanted New Yorker with a turnip, much less a newly dead body and an abnormal brain. Continue reading
Turn On, Tune In, Laugh Out Loud
The Brickwall Comedy Show brings full-time comedy to Eugene’s airwaves
Local comedian Chris Warren told a joke that almost put him in jail. While doing standup in Spokane, Wash., in 2003, Warren made a rough joke about Hillary Clinton, and it caught the attention of the Secret Service, who sent two members to speak with Warren. “I was public enemy number one for telling a joke,” he says. “It was the good cop/bad cop scenario. They told me to never tell the joke again, but then they asked me to tell the joke. I told them and they started cracking up!” Continue reading
The Man, and Women, Behind the Mask
Ballet Fantastique produces and performs first-ever authorized ballet of Zorro
Zorro had some pretty good genes. On one side his father: Alejandro de la Vega, a soldier with ties to Spanish aristocracy. On the other his mother: Toypurnia, a powerful Tongva warrior who led her tribe into battle against the Spaniards. With parents from conflicting cultures, it’s no wonder Zorro (real name Diego de la Vega) had an identity crisis, growing up to be the swashbuckling, masked crusader who leaves Z’s in his wake. Continue reading
August in September
Oregon Contemporary Theatre kicks off its fall season with a rollicking family drama
It’s the stickiest month of the year in rural Oklahoma, and the air conditioning is off. That’s the way Violet Weston likes it, despite the fact that she’s hosting a houseful of sweltering family members who’ve gathered in her home following her husband’s disappearance. Her three daughters are here, and they’ve brought assorted husbands and children in tow. Caring for seemingly fragile Violet in her hour of need should feel like a “Very Special Episode” of your favorite TV show. Continue reading
Playwright of Champions
Aaron Posner reflects on his upcoming play at OCT, Vonnegut and filling the seats
For those among us who prefer our artists to be a bit prickly — the artist as porcupine — let me first point out that playwright Aaron Posner is the recipient of the 2012 RuleBreaker Award from No Rules Theatre in Washington, D.C. During the award ceremony in June, actor Holly Twyford summed up her appreciation of Posner thusly: “Your honesty is usually right on, sometimes brutally so.” Continue reading
Pop Goes America
Green Day’s American Idiot brings contemporary Broadway to Eugene
Rock and pop worked their way into theatrical productions long ago: Jesus Christ Superstar and Hedwig and the Angry Inch to name two. Lately, Broadway has struck gold weaving tunes from pop artists like Abba with 1999’s smash hit Mamma Mia! (coming to the Hult Center January 2014) and Franki Valli in 2005’s Jersey Boys. Continue reading