By Reagan Duplisea staff reporter British humor is traditionally of two extremes - the ridiculous physical comedy of "Monty Python" and the highbrow wit of "Shakespeare in Love." Stage West's latest production, "Man of the Moment," combines the two with such finesse that it has you holding back hysterics so you won't miss any of the sly, subtle comments. British playwright Alan Ayckbourn structures the plot around the filming of a sleazy talk show, "Their Paths Crossed," a crossing of "Ricki Lake" and "Hard Copy."
But she also poignantly reminds us of one of the most negative aspects of the media today: She looks for scandal when there isn't any. While there was a scandal 17 years ago (which will remain a secret because it's part of Ayckbourn's magic to give the audience pieces until the whole enigma is solved), Jill cannot elicit any more juicy secrets or hidden resentments from the scandal's two key players, Vic and Douglas. It is entertaining to watch Jill become increasingly frustrated with Douglas, who is as agreeable as they come. As Jill says, "He smothers you with approval. It's like interviewing a fire blanket." But as she pries, the audience cannot help but become curious, too. While Ayckbourn is obviously poking fun at sleazy news magazines, he has the audience become part of the phenomenon. The audience feels almost squeamish because its members want to know more, but they realize they are falling into Ayckbourn's trap. They become part of what is being critiqued. Stage West's artistic director Jim Covault plays Douglas with a Mr. Magoo-like awkwardness and bumbling mannerisms. He had the audience in laughing fits with a simple facial expression when he was trying to "act natural" and not watch the cameras. However meek, he turns into the unlikely hero of the television program and the play itself. The many other characters are smoothly introduced so that they do not confuse the audience. Look for TCU alumna Lara Maerz as Sharon. The actors make full use of the round stage, ensuring that all audience members get the full benefit of dialogue, gestures and facial expressions. The entire play is set on the patio of Vic's Spanish villa overlooking the Mediterranean. Lawn chairs, potted plants and crickets chirping in the background add effective, believable atmosphere. One of the main elements of "Man of the Moment" that provides an outlet for much physical comedy is a swimming pool, built into a corner of the stage. While every seat is a good seat in the small theater, those sitting near the pool may find themselves with a wet seat. And, while I say good seat, I don't necessarily mean comfortable seat - the seats from an old movie theater add charm to the theater, but you can feel the springs no matter how many times you adjust your position. There is good news, however: The theater will soon be installing 200 new plush seats to replace the old. Overall, the best thing about the play is the entertaining comedy, but the play is also thought-provoking. You laugh at the actors, but you also laugh at yourself because you have become part of the show. There is no excuse to miss "Man of the Moment" since it brings such great comedy as close as the TCU Bookstore.
Reagan Duplisea
By Missi Christensen assistant production coordinator For the first time in its 15-year existence, the MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival will not line the red-bricked streets of Main Street in downtown Fort Worth. Because of damage to the downtown area from the recent tornado, the greenery of the Fort Worth Cultural District will provide the backdrop for the annual festival April 13 through 16. Ceramics, paintings, photography, woodcarvings, glassworks, jewelry and multimedia compositions will be displayed from 11 a.m. April 13 through 8 p.m. April 16 on Lancaster Boulevard between South University Drive and Montgomery Street in front of the Will Rogers Memorial Complex. Donna VanNess, general manager of Downtown Fort Worth, Inc., said she expects attendance to remain the same as previous years, which is around 430,000. "I think there will be a lot of interest just to see what it looks like in a different setting," she said. "The festival was chosen as the seventh-best fine-art event in the nation. We just hope for good weather." The tornado damage will be transformed into a major highlight, VanNess said. Donald Naack, known as the Junkman, will arrive Sunday in Fort Worth to collect debris from downtown to create a sculpture that is not only a monument, but a percussion instrument as well. "He finds things with tones and gets the audience to play them," she said. "It's a collective, engaging experience." Naack will be a strolling performer throughout the festival. The finished piece will be donated to Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. VanNess said there are no final plans for the sculpture. Artists, including Kurt Schmedel and Dan Reznikoff of Fort Worth, will be in their booths to describe their work to festival patrons. "It's different (from) buying a piece at a gallery," VanNess said. "You can learn how they made it, where the creative energy came from." Schmedel and Reznikoff, whose work is self-described as functional, creative furniture, have been showing their work at MAIN ST. for five years. "Our work isn't something people buy on a whim, but we let people know that we're here," Schmedel said. Reznikoff said he and Schmedel enjoy being some of the only local artists among the exhibitors. "Every year, there's always one or two days of real weather," Reznikoff said. "It's fun to take them under your arm and tease them a little." A local television news reporter was the first to tell the men the festival was changing location, but Schmedel said they weren't concerned. "(The Cultural District) is a beautiful area," he said. "It's a change in dynamics, but I think it's going to be an excellent show." Marcel Maitland, a sophomore studio art and radio-TV-film major, attended the festival last year. "There's a little bit of everything: sculpture, painting, drawing," he said. "You'll find something that interests you. That's guaranteed." Along with display booths and the Junkman, three stages will host live entertainment, including Big Nazo, a comedy routine. The actors wear large puppet-like heads and perform skits. VanNess said Big Nazo will be the first act of its kind in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. "It's a whole experience," VanNess said. "It is educational and a lot of fun." For a complete schedule of events, see the festival's Web site at (www.msfwaf.org).
Missi Christensen |
Although the play is titled "Man
of the Moment," Nicole Case, who plays talk-show hostess Jill Rillington,
enjoys her moment in the spotlight. Most of the other characters dim in
comparison when she is on the stage. Whether the cameras are rolling or
not determines her personality.| The TCU Daily Skiff © 1998, 1999 Credits |