Articulations
Touring plans for the Rude Mechanicals; two two shows for theatregoers to see before they close.
By Robert Faires, Fri., March 17, 2000
Rudes on the Road
Is it time for another Rude Mechanicals road trip? Could be. After the one last summer when they previewed Lipstick Traces for New York audiences and their subsequent hit run of the show locally, the Rude Ones continue to get calls from around the country about booking their infamous adaptation of the Greil Marcus tome. Last fall, the collective was cautious when talk turned to touring the show, but now the troupe appears to be getting its act back together and taking it on the road -- or at least raising money toward that end. Two weeks ago, the Rudes hosted a Punk Rock Hoot Night at the Hole in the Wall to benefit a potential tour of Traces to the Philadelphia Fringe Festival in the fall of 2000 and to noted performance art venue PS122 in NYC in the spring of 2001. Ex-Electric Lounge guru and Blue Plate Poet Mike Henry organized the night, with participation from Bigamy Sisters, Chepo Peña, the Crackpipes, the Dismukes, Leprachaun, Lucille, Wammo, and the Wannabes. What with the size of the venue and the depth of the pockets of the average Rude Mechs/punk rock fan, this was not to be one of those arts fundraisers with a six-figure net at the end of the night. In fact, it wasn't even a five-figure net. But the Rudes are still mighty proud of the night's haul: The $400 they raised off the $5 cover exceeded their projected income for the event. But even if it hadn't, the gang would be smiling. The show was "too much fun," according to Rudes core member Lana Lesley. At least, they think it was. To be honest, they really don't remember too much about it. If you want to support the Rude Mechs' tour, give 'em a call at 476-RUDE. And if you want to support the company's current work, get over to the Off Center pronto. It's the final weekend for the company's world premiere of In the House of the Moles, by the amazing Terry Galloway. I can't recall the last time I saw a play this obsessed with death and this willing to seize its hand with a joy buzzer. Galloway writes vaudeville riffs on Hamlet that are brilliant, at once hilarious and disturbing, and the Rudes continue to amaze with their gutsy commitment to the most offbeat, tough material and with their true performance savvy. A theatrical event original and invigorating.
History in the Making
Speaking of shows ending their runs, this is also the closing week for The America Play at the Zachary Scott Theatre Center, and it would be a shame to see this eloquent production end with anything less than full houses. The script by Suzan-Lori Parks burrows into our national psyche, unearthing the myths we have buried there, about our leaders, about liberty, about family and race and responsibility, in ways that are fresh and compelling. And as realized by Zach, with design work by Michael Raiford that echoes the inventiveness, poetry, and challenge of the text; with the charismatic, passion-filled performances of Janis Stinson, Forrest McClendon, and Stacey Robinson that make Parks' repeated images -- digging, hole, history, echoes -- peal like a great bell; and with the sure hand with which Dave Steakley has brought this dense and meaty play to the stage with a sure hand and much feeling, it is a most worthy work, deserving of attention.
And speaking of Steakley, Zach's artistic director was chosen as Arts & Entertainment Austinite by Austin Under 40, an organization which recognizes outstanding contributions by locals under the age of 40. Take a bow, Dave.