July 3, 2009 - The Austin Chronicle

artslistingsDepartmentof AngelsBlue TheaterJune 26Some people believe in a heaven where the only experienceis pure bliss. Others think such bliss is impossible without thecontrast of mediocrity and pain. In Department of Angels, by thephysical comedy duo Schave & Reilly, however,the clouds housed a bureaucracy inwhich an isolated office was staffed by apair of winged creatures in white jumpsuits.Like their earthly counterparts, they clockedin for the day, succumbed to security searches,and hung their ID cards around theirnecks. Then they read memos and chuckedthem in a temperamental shredder, arguedover who would do what, annoyed eachother, and waited for the red phone to ring.In the Department, though, clocking ininvolved more than an ID-card swipe; itrequired the punching in of many numbersand a handprint scan, followed by the tossingaway of the whole machinery, and eachemployee got not just a pat-down but apass of primatelike nit-picking and a kindof tickle treatment. The tall and straitlacedangel (Ben Schave) repeatedly tricked thescrappy and overeager one (Caitlin Reilly)in whoopee-cushion hijinks, and the simpletask of writing on a clipboard presented aseries of ridiculous challenges. Reilly’s angelhad a penchant for licking things – her scarf,the rubber stamp, the shredder’s electricalplug – that irritated her celestial officemate.When the whistle signaled a coffee break,the entire time-clock ritual had to be repeatedbefore the angels unwrapped their cigars(yup, cigars), and another whistle ended thebreak before they could find a light.Back at the Department, the red phonestarted ringing, bringing in orders to dumpbuckets of peace, happiness, and love overthe folks below. But the bucket o’ love neverreached its terrestrial intended: With TallAngel’s back turned, Scrappy Angel upendedthe bucket on herself. (In the program, thecharacters are simply called “Schave” and“Reilly.”) With Scrappy Angel chasing after62 T H E A U S T I N C H R O N I C L E JULY 3, 2009 a u s t i n c h r o n i c l e . c o mhim with pursed lips and googly eyes, TallAngel seemed at a loss for another solutionand dipped into the bucket, too, butbefore they could unzip their jumpsuits, thered phone rang again: Fired. After a solemnremoval of their wings and white, they put ontheir oversized overcoats and descended.When a shiny Red Delicious appeared inScrappy’s coat pocket, it was apparent thatthey’d never seen one before. Inevitably, shetasted it, and the reason she’d been lickingitems became clear. Together, they devouredthe apple she’d been starving for. Go figure:In heaven, she was a crazy bat with pica. Onearth, she’s just hungry.Schave & Reilly, who are husband andwife and who met in clown college, are justabout as charming onstage as can be. Theyare well-paired artists of physical comedy aswell as of concept – we’re not talking RonaldMcDonald here. Though their work is cleanenough for kids, it’s timeless and layered.Their continued independent work in this artform, one that has a long, reverent historybut which is often on the fringes today, isremarkable in itself. However, the pacing ofthe hourlong show – perhaps partly due tophysical necessity and partly because of allthe waiting, sitting, and repeating requiredby the subject matter – resulted in somedrag. The staging at the Blue Theater putthe audience close to the performers, andsome of the cartoonish quality of their physicalexertion was lost. But the DIY nature ofthe show, with its cardboard clouds and timeclock made from a shoebox, was sweet, andthe dingy, rickety surroundings at the Bluemade the little drama seem all the moreabsurd. Some people say any experience weget on earth is all there is. So I say, send’em in.– Jonelle SeitztheatreOPENINGHENRY V This is a project that your Chronicle’s ArtsEditor Robert Faires has been considering, conjuring,and honing for almost two decades: a one-manadaptation of Shakespeare’s drama about England’slegendary warrior king. Faires performs the 75-minutemonologue using just a few household props toevoke Henry’s journey across the kingly courts andbloody battlefields of history, from harshest war tosweetest love. The Illinois Shakespeare Festival’sCatherine Weidner directs this co-production fromRed Then and Rude Mechs. July 2-25. Thu.-Sat., 8pm;Sun., 5pm. The Off Center, 2211-A Hidalgo, 476-7833.$15 (discounts available for students, seniors).www.rudemechs.com.NO SHAME THEATRE RETURNS! On the first Fridayof each month, Gnap! Theater Projects presentsAustin’s pre-eminent open-mic performance forum.Script-in-hand or memorized, funny, dance-based, bad,weird, or just what-the-hell – all styles of performanceare welcome. Fri., July 3, 10pm. Salvage VanguardTheater, 2803 Manor Rd., 474-7886. $3.www.gnaptheater.org.ZILKER SUMMER MUSICAL: THE MUSIC MAN Didyou know that the Simpsons homage to this popularshow – you recall that episode about the monorail,yes? – was written by Conan O’Brien? Well, now youdo. And now you really want to grab a pic-a-nic andwatch Meredith Willson’s classic performed live onthe great green hillside by an enthusiastic troupeof locals as the sun sets slowly behind you and it’s“Goodnight, My Someone” right here in River City.July 3-Aug. 15. Thu.-Sun., 8:30pm. Zilker Park HillsideTheater, 2206 William Barton Dr. Donations accepted.www.zilker.org/showinfo.html.AN INSPECTOR CALLS Which of the British richieskilled the young woman, do you think? J.B. Priestley’sEdwardian crime thriller features Garry Peters as theinspector and is directed by Norman Blumensaadt forDifferent Stages. July 3-25. Thu.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 7pm.The Vortex, 2307 Manor Rd., 478-5282. $15-30.www.vortexrep.org.THE ODYSSEY: A ROCK MUSICAL Freddy Carnes,who has often brought his popular Pigman superheroto the kiddies, now goes all adult-audience with thisadaptation of the Greek classic. No, we don’t meanit’s teh pr0n, dear citizen; we mean it’s intended torock you in a thoroughly Homeric manner, as part ofthis venue’s Summer Acts festival. Thu., July 9, 9pm;Sat., July 11, noon & 8pm; Sun., July 12, 4pm; Mon.,July 13, 9pm; Sat., July 18, 6pm. City Theatre, 3823Airport Ste. D, 891-8387. $15.www.citytheatreaustin.org.ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL It’s another fineShakespeare comedy in which amor vincit omnia,as the Japanese say, as presented by the PolishThespian Workshop for City Theatre’s Summer Actsfestival. Thu., July 9, 7pm; Sat., July 11, 6pm; Sun.,July 12, 8pm; Thu., July 16, 9pm; Sat., July 18, noon;Sun., July 19, 4pm. City Theatre, 3823 Airport Ste. D,740-9839. www.citytheatreaustin.org.CLOSINGNUNSENSE! Sure, and you know it’s the musicalfeaturing those singing and dancing sisters of mercyfrom out of Hoboken who have to figure out how tobury the bodies of 52 nuns accidentally killed bytheir cook? Done up all City Theatre-style here foryour divine pleasure. Thu., July 2, 8pm; Sun., July 5,2:30 & 5:30pm. City Theatre, 3823 Airport Ste. D,524-2870. $20 ($18, seniors; $12, students; $15,Thursdays). www.citytheatreaustin.org.TOUCH The Vestige Group presents the Austinpremiere of Toni Press-Coffman’s drama about anastronomer struggling to regain meaning in his lifeafter his wife is murdered. Directed by Susie Gidseg.Through July 3. Thu.-Sat., 9pm. Hot Mama’s CoffeeShop, 2401 E. Sixth. $15-25 (pay what you wish,Thursdays). www.vestigegroup.org.NO EXIT Jean-Paul Sartre’s endgame drama getsa modernizing by Bastion Carboni in this presentationfrom Poison Apple Initiative and Domy Books.Through July 3. Thu.-Sat., 7:30pm. Domy Books, 913 E.Cesar Chavez, 476-3669. $10. www.domystore.com.THE ODD COUPLE Neil Simon’s popular comedy ofmismatched roommates gets a revival at the Palaceto the north. Through July 5. Thu.-Sat., 7:30pm; Sun.,2pm. Palace Theater, 810 S. Austin Rd., Georgetown,512/869-7469. $8-22. www.georgetownpalace.com.| EXPERIENCE THE DOMAIN, THAT UPSCALESHOPPING CONGLOMERATION, IN A MANNERUNLIKE ANY OTHER – VIA HEADPHONES.ONGOINGRECREATING THE DOMAIN is a set of artist-createdrecorded walking tours of the Domain, that ever-sotonyshopping center/residence/office-park thing inNorth Austin. Visitors can download the walking toursand attend the exhibition on their own time, makingthis experience a permanent exhibition. This project,incorporating the creations of five audio artists, iscurated by Alex Keller in conjunction with the alwaysintriguing Church of the Friendly Ghost. Downloadsavailable at www.recreatingthedomain.org.BLACK SNOW This is Keith Reddin’s two-act adaptationof Mikhail Bulgakov’s comic novel satirizing theworld of publishing and the mayhem that ensueswhen, heh, adapting a literary work for the stage.Nine actors portray 54 different characters in thisTutto Theatre show directed by Dustin Wills. ThroughJuly 12. Thu.-Sun., 8pm. Salvage Vanguard Theater,2803 Manor Rd., 474-7886. $12-15 (pay what youcan, Thursdays). www.tuttotheatre.org.LOVE, JANIS This staged spectacle of live musicexplores the Texas-born performer not only throughher legendary songs, but also via letters she wrote toher family. The phenomenal Andra Mitrovich returnsin her original starring role, so you know the raftersare liable to burst into flames from the pure paisleypower of it all. Through Aug. 30 Wed.-Sat., 8pm; Sun.,2:30pm. Zach Theatre, 1510 Toomey, 476-0541.$20-45. www.zachscott.com.DINNER THEATREMURDER ON THE MOVIE SET Gary Payne andhis madcap Capital City Mystery Players present ahumor-laced, interactive murder mystery in which you,the audience, play extras on a Hollywood movie set.With full-course Italian fare to dine on. Saturdays,7pm. Through July 25. Spaghetti Warehouse, 117 W.Fourth, 404-9123. $33.50. www.meatballs.com.AUDITIONSTROUBLE PUPPET THEATRE: UPTON SINCLAIR’STHE JUNGLE These progressive puppet masters areseeking five men and five women. Puppetry, dance/movement experience, and ability to play a musicalinstrument are pluses. Be prepared to tell a storywithout words. E-mail for appointment. Sat., July 11.info@troublepuppet.com.SUBMISSION INFORMATION:The Austin Chronicle is published every Thursday. Infois due the Monday of the week prior to the issue date. Thedeadline for the July 17 issue is Monday, July 6. Includename of event, date, time, location, price, phone number(s),a description, and any available photos or artwork. IncludeSASE for return of materials.Send submissions to the attention of the appropriate writer(see roster below). Mail to the Chronicle, PO Box 49066,Austin, 78765; fax, 458-6910; or e-mail:Wayne Alan Brenner, theatre, comedy.brenner@austinchronicle.com.Robi Polgar, performance art, dance, classical.dance-classical@austinchronicle.com.Ric Williams, litera. litera@austinchronicle.com.Benné Rockett, visual arts. art@austinchronicle.com.Questions? Contact Wayne Alan Brenner, Listings editor.brenner@austinchronicle.com.