Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Solo Spotlight On: YOGA BITCH by Suzanne Morrison



"Alternately side-splitting and stomach-curdling, writer/actress Suzanne Morrison's autobiographical monologue is savagely funny. . . . Through sheer force of talent and personality, she is able to shock and horrify patrons without sacrificing their implicit faith in the complete and total logic of each decision that she makes. Ambitious, ballsy, and hilarious, Yoga Bitch is surely the best one-woman show I've seen all year."
--Virginia Zech, Seattle Weekly

When Suzanne Morrison arrived in Bali for a two-month yoga retreat, she thought she was on the path to inner peace and killer abs. She imagined that she would return to the States a changed person, no longer cowering in the shadows of life but instead making like a scented candle and calling herself Tranquility. But the universe had other plans for her...

In her hilarious solo show, Suzanne Morrison explores her attempts to find her Higher Self in a strange world where blenders become possessed by spirits, Prada lust is at a fever-pitch, a milkshake can throw a guru into a rage, and everyone around her tries to make her drink her own pee. Directed by Jean-Michele Gregory, Yoga Bitch offers an irreverent glimpse at what can go wrong on the road to enlightenment. 

More info on Suzanne Morrison at her blog. More info on the show here.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Solo Spotlight On: ODYSSEY by Theatre Ad Infinitum



Odyssey - Winner of The Stage ‘best solo performer' award at the Edunburgh Fringe.

Lecoq-trained performer Geroge Mann and his director Nir Paldi of Theatre Ad Infinitum reinvent the timeless Greek myth. One actor. One hour. One man’s epic quest to reunite with his family and seek his bloody revenge. Passionate, highly physical and poignant storytelling brings this breathtaking adventure to life.

‘Best of the Fringe’ (Observer) and an official Fringe sell-out show 2009, this critically acclaimed tour de force continues to tour internationally. Odyssey is a journey that will ignite the imagination and awaken the senses… 'Theatre Ad Infinitum have moved to the front of the pack' (Guardian).

Odyssey is a co-devised and co-written piece directed by Nir Paldi and performed George Mann.

Website and info here.

.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Dan Hoyle's THE REAL AMERICANS


Earlier this month I caught Dan Hoyle's show THE REAL AMERICANS at the Painted Bride Theatre in Philadelphia.

Besides the wonderful things I could say about both Dan's writing as well as his performance, I have to give him kudos for one moment of pure spontaneity. Somehow a dog wandered up onto the stage part way through his show the night I attended (was this a pet someone had brought in?). Just as the whole audience began to turn its attention away from the story to wonder "hey, is that a dog up there?" Dan acknowledged the canine with a quick ad-lib and touched based real quick with the audience - while still totally in character - and then continued with the show.

Also, here's a great peek behind the development process in this mini-documentary...



You can read more about Dan's show THE REAL AMERICANS on his website.