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Creating new works of theatre means you gotta be flexible. Bendy like a young sapling full of potential and possibility just waiting for the blossoms of creativity and art to come bursting forth from wee twiggy appendages. So it's perfect that a bunch of gangly performers who can't even touch their toes are giving it their all to produce and perform Savage Umbrella's latest new work, These Are the Men.
We have been bending over backwards (literally) to make sure we're in shape to take on the uniquely physical vision that director and company member Blake E. Bolan has for our latest full production coming to the Southern Theatre as part of ArtShare. Of course we'd be in a lot more danger of physical damage and exhaustion if it wasn't for our daily yoga warm-ups led by Jessica Spivey, our ever-loved stage manager and yoga-instructor-in-training. The flippant answer to Heidi’s question - how to team write? - is easy, especially in the midst of working on THESE ARE THE MEN. Instructions:
 They have known each other 4eva. These Are the Men began its life in 2008 as a part of Mixed Precipitation's Minneapolis Pinter Studios. Somehow I convinced them that it would be a good idea for me to create a new piece examining the Oedipus myth using Pinter’s style. The 5 short scenes that we performed throughout the roving festival were difficult, interesting, and the spark for a number of great conversations. Then we put it to rest, where I assumed it would remain.  These are the Men, round 1 (at the 2008 Pinter festival)  Lars and Roberta...or is it Allie? Just as Missy Elliot returns to the forefront of our brain space reserved for pop culture, Savage Umbrella returns to the Southern Theatre for our second performance of Freaks! Check out some of the feedback from our 1/28 talkback!  Just a bunch of teens, battling FOR THEIR LIVES. “I enjoyed the concept of “choose your own adventure” and would like to see that explored more - more options perhaps or go deeper into the story in those choices and spend less time on the main stage.” audience member “Freedom! I hate being subjugated to one spot!” - audience member “I was confused if sickos and freaks were the same thing.” - audience member “We seem to have genuinely confused many folks, pissed some off, and delighted others.” Laura Leffler-McCabe, Artistic Director  It's nice to have a hockey stick wielding boyfriend in times of turmoil. If you attended our performance on 1/218 and you didn't get a chance to fill out the survey you received in your program (and even if you did), please feel free to contact us. We want to know what worked for you, what didn't, and what you're excited to see next. If you feel so inclined (and we hope you do!), drop us a line at [email protected] and we'd be most appreciative. For the rest of you hep cats, we’ll see you at The Southern this Friday for one last opportunity to get your freak on! |
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November 2020
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