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NOW’S YOUR CHANCE…to take a chance on some risky work before it closes.
Quite a few shows are closing this weekend that I haven’t mentioned here yet. One of them is ¡El Conquistador! (pg 35), the latest from our very own theatrical MacGuiver, Thaddeus Phillips. It has been rumored that Thaddeus can create and hour-long puppet extravaganza with nothing but a water bottle and a piece of chewing gum. I believe it after seeing some of his previous Fringe offerings; The Tempest in a baby pool, King Lear on a hand-made mini-golf course… the list goes on. Actually, you’ll be able to catch version of one of his hits, Lost Soles, later on in the Festival, but ¡El Conquistador! is closing tomorrow! Phillips’ Lucidity Suitcase Intercontinental has teamed up with Latin American telenovela star, Victor Mallerino, for a fanciful look into the imagination of an odd-jobsman and his fantasies about the stories’ characters. Phillip’s inventive object puppetry and video work will be sure to surprise us yet again.
Other programming that will be wrapping up this weekend is the always-fresh offerings from the emerging artists. Yet another opportunity for you to see new work from new artists, Program 2 (pg 21), will feature work from Sasha Welsh, Kristen Shahverdian, Elrey C. Belmonti and Aryani Manring. All are Philadelphia artists who are experimenting with new and risky work, challenging themselves and looking for feedback. Tonight after their last performances will be a post show discussion for audience questions and comments. It’s a great format for exchange between Festivalgoers and Artists.
After the inspired post-show discussion yesterday with writer/director/theatrical revolutionary, Richard Maxwell, the conversation continued throughout the evening. In the lobby, on the street, at the Cabaret; everyone who had been in the audience couldn’t stop talking about Caveman (pg 13) and how they had never seen anything like it on stage before. One audience member sitting next to me created a fairly accurate image for my Maxwell experience; the stripped-down style of the performance allows the text and story to float above the “action” of the play. Then, when the two planes on which the action and text have been riding, merge again, the result is a stunningly vulnerable and honest moment. For me, it was like a theatrical exorcism had been performed. Please don’t miss it. The last performance is tonight.
The Festival Guide Editor, Violet Phillips, had an inspirational experience at yesterdays Akira Kasai performance. With his startling agility and spontaneity, as well as a flare for the dramatic, he knows exactly what kind of experience he wants his audience to have. He’ll be arriving to his performance of Pollen Revolution (pg 11) at the Painted Bride via horse-drawn carriage and enter the theatre with the audience. Akira Kasai has been described as the Mick Jagger of Butoh and I believe it. See him before his carriage leaves for good after Monday’s performance.
Couplet of the day:
Catch these shows
before they close
Your ex-administrator,
Lee Ann Etzold
Quite a few shows are closing this weekend that I haven’t mentioned here yet. One of them is ¡El Conquistador! (pg 35), the latest from our very own theatrical MacGuiver, Thaddeus Phillips. It has been rumored that Thaddeus can create and hour-long puppet extravaganza with nothing but a water bottle and a piece of chewing gum. I believe it after seeing some of his previous Fringe offerings; The Tempest in a baby pool, King Lear on a hand-made mini-golf course… the list goes on. Actually, you’ll be able to catch version of one of his hits, Lost Soles, later on in the Festival, but ¡El Conquistador! is closing tomorrow! Phillips’ Lucidity Suitcase Intercontinental has teamed up with Latin American telenovela star, Victor Mallerino, for a fanciful look into the imagination of an odd-jobsman and his fantasies about the stories’ characters. Phillip’s inventive object puppetry and video work will be sure to surprise us yet again.
Other programming that will be wrapping up this weekend is the always-fresh offerings from the emerging artists. Yet another opportunity for you to see new work from new artists, Program 2 (pg 21), will feature work from Sasha Welsh, Kristen Shahverdian, Elrey C. Belmonti and Aryani Manring. All are Philadelphia artists who are experimenting with new and risky work, challenging themselves and looking for feedback. Tonight after their last performances will be a post show discussion for audience questions and comments. It’s a great format for exchange between Festivalgoers and Artists.
After the inspired post-show discussion yesterday with writer/director/theatrical revolutionary, Richard Maxwell, the conversation continued throughout the evening. In the lobby, on the street, at the Cabaret; everyone who had been in the audience couldn’t stop talking about Caveman (pg 13) and how they had never seen anything like it on stage before. One audience member sitting next to me created a fairly accurate image for my Maxwell experience; the stripped-down style of the performance allows the text and story to float above the “action” of the play. Then, when the two planes on which the action and text have been riding, merge again, the result is a stunningly vulnerable and honest moment. For me, it was like a theatrical exorcism had been performed. Please don’t miss it. The last performance is tonight.
The Festival Guide Editor, Violet Phillips, had an inspirational experience at yesterdays Akira Kasai performance. With his startling agility and spontaneity, as well as a flare for the dramatic, he knows exactly what kind of experience he wants his audience to have. He’ll be arriving to his performance of Pollen Revolution (pg 11) at the Painted Bride via horse-drawn carriage and enter the theatre with the audience. Akira Kasai has been described as the Mick Jagger of Butoh and I believe it. See him before his carriage leaves for good after Monday’s performance.
Couplet of the day:
Catch these shows
before they close
Your ex-administrator,
Lee Ann Etzold
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