“Southern Gothic Novel: The Aberdeen Mississippi Sex-Slave Incident”
Oscar E Moore from the rear mezzanine for Talk Entertainment.com
Not since Othello has a handkerchief played such a vital role in the machinations of a theatrical outing. Not since Carol Burnett as Eunice with her Mama have we seen such a high strung, dysfunctional heroine carry on over not too much of anything.
So it is with “Southern Gothic Novel: The Aberdeen Mississippi Sex-Slave Incident” which is being presented Wednesday’s only (an omen?) at Stage Left Studio Theatre at 438 West 37th Street – just further down along the road past the now defunct Zipper Factory (another omen?). The “theatre” is Apartment 5A. Intimate. 21 seats. It’s like seeing a play in a neighbor’s living room, feeling a bit like a speakeasy – some secret society meeting for some underground plotting as you are buzzed in from the cold.
Gee guys, the theatrical community is in mourning over all the closings on Broadway. We look to Off-Broadway for some hope. Some inspiration. Something. “Southern Gothic” just isn’t it. It’s a long way to go for a laugh. And I mean that quite literally. There is just about one laugh, well maybe a few in this seemingly long (61 minutes) one man show about the travails of Viola Haygood (probably good in the hay – ha! ha!) and all the other bizarre characters that author and performer Frank Blocker has imagined. Or does he know people like this?
17 characters, including a Junebug. Plus narrator. 13 locations. 13 Chapters. One actor. And herein lies the good news. If there are any casting directors out there looking for a first rate character actor specializing in virginal middle aged white trash mobile home heroines– who can make the most ridiculous character believable and is a man of many voices, please check out “Southern Gothic” to see the extremely talented Frank Blocker perform.
It’s like a live, 61 minute audition tape - where you will see Mr. Blocker at his best – From the excitable, hopelessly romantic Viola to tough ol’ Odessa “Big Otis” Cole to dimwitted Jimmy Townsend, to Mrs. Wong to Mark Julius (the mystery man – (whispering with awe) “Him!” to Fran (the smoker) to still in the closet Little Pete, to all the others - Frank Blocker gives a commanding and remarkable display of what one can do with one’s voice if so inclined.
Tickets: $25.00 www.SmatTix.com 212 868 4444
More at www.oscaremoore.com
01-22-09
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