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By: JIM FARMER
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The Center for Puppetry Arts offers up its annual theatrical spookfest each Halloween. The shows in years past were fun but rather tame. Lucky for audiences, this year’s version, “Something Wicked,” is anything but.
Gay director Cliff Thornton helms “Something Wicked.” He is a long-time guest associate at the Center for Puppetry Arts. His long-time (romantic and business) partner Bryan Mercer provides the musical arrangements on this show, and both men also serve as performers/puppeteers.
It’s a mixed media show with musicians onstage, film clips and all sorts of atmospheric fog, strobe lights and other special effects. One constant motif is a young woman screaming and running from a masked man trying to off her.
“Something Wicked” is definitely for grown ups, but it has no overt gay themes, despite its leaders. At one point, a tarot card reader does encourage people to explore their bisexuality.
Former “American Idol” contestant and Atlanta resident Vanessa Olivarez is in the cast, though she never appears unmasked. Of course, there are puppets, too — small ones, ghoulish ones and one almost as big as the stage.
“Something Wicked” also plays homage to thrillers like “The Exorcist” (with spinning heads) and “The Sixth Sense.” The show might spin your head too. It is part of the New Directions Series for ages 18 and up. The adult content allows for action including bloodletting and puppet female nudity.
The show is surreal, atmospheric, macabre and well worth a look.
Actor’s Express is currently staging the Tracey Letts psychological drama “Bug.”
It’s set in a run-down Oklahoma motel room. Agnes (Sherman Fracher) is a lonely woman with a horrible secret about her lost child. Peter (Daniel May) is a delusional war veteran who thinks bugs are everywhere and out to get him.
The two meet doing drugs and eventually begin a relationship. At first, Agnes is drawn in by the newness of Peter but then begins to see his true colors.
As is typical of Letts’ shows, “Bug” is in-your-face. The nudity is graphic and excessive, especially a 15 minute scene where the two main performers are starkers. Violence and rampant drug use are ongoing themes.
Besides Agnes’s ex (Jeff Feldman in a creepy performance), the play features a lesbian character, R.C. (played by Kara Cantrell), who is a good friend of Agnes until she makes the mistake of doubting Peter. Agnes then runs her off.
Playwright Letts also wrote “Killer Joe,” which Actor’s Express staged successfully last year. It has a lot of the same characteristics, but the first act isn’t as tight here.
Director Jasson Minadakis lets scenes drag, and the central relationship seems forced at first. Yet “Bug” ultimately comes together beautifully.
The play can be savagely funny (including when Agnes scratches herself silly trying to ward off imaginary bugs in between snorts of cocaine), and it can be downright disturbing. A bit of violence near the end is perfectly in character with Peter’s mood swings.
“Bug” also has a great sense of place, opening with Agnes smoking listlessly outside of her room staring into space.
The talented May is wonderfully understated, but Fracher is his match. She’s like a caged animal in the second act.
At first, the relationship between the two seems improbable, but Agnes and Peter prove to be matched lost souls, their mating almost fortuitous.
“Bug” is one of the best shows of the year and perfect for Halloween season.
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