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J. Tillman at the Mohawk - Giveaway
Show Preview: Brackett & Co., Real Estate
We recently caught the new work Wireless-Less during its run at the Cohen New Works Festival. The play continues its run this weekend—Thursday through Sunday at the Blue Theatre—as a part of Refraction Arts' Fuse Box Festival.
Wireless-Less is a trippy, fun fantasy about the human consequences of constant access to technology. Watching this thoroughly enjoyable piece, we were reminded somewhat of David Cronenberg’s movies, in which humans are always brushing up against tech and often coming out the worse for wear. (If you’re not sure what we’re talking about, a quick rental of Cronenberg’s version of The Fly will do—or check out Videodrome in which poor James Woods actually has a VCR slot in his stomach. Gloopy!) Thankfully, Wireless-Less is not dirgey, alarmist, or sad. Instead, like Cronenberg at its best, it’s funny, sweet, and inventive. It also has the cojones to ask its male protagonist to make love to a laptop on stage—AND remain a likeable guy. It works. Seriously!
The show revolves around Noah (Jason Newman, Austin Critics Table and B.Iden Payne awards nominee) and Charlotte (Lee Eddy, winner of multiple awards and named "Best Actress" in the Austin Chronicle three years running), a twentysomething couple who face troubles in the form of Noah’s increasing addiction to his laptop. Charlotte, a school librarian, resents Noah’s absorption in the world of the digital—especially since the appearance of computers in her library is beginning to threaten her beloved human interactions with children. Their relationship is sincere, their chemistry believable, and their rapport fundamentally enjoyable to watch.
Charlotte embodies a charm that's sorta-indie (Vans and knee socks) and sorta-nerdy (laptop wallpaper of “a young EB White”); we want to ask her to go to Flatstock with us or something. Eddy commits to the role in a serious way, unflinchingly portraying the disintegration of the character as she reacts to…well, we don’t want to ruin the surprise. Newman, whose Noah is a shempy, smart slacker who’s “working on his electronic music” while remaining jobless, is equally adept at playing crazy; when Charlotte commits Noah to a treatment center for recovering tech addicts, Newman rolls around on the ground, mumbling “WWW” to himself and shadow-typing with both hands. The skill of these two, as well as the always funny dialogue by Michener Center playwright David Modigliani and the adept direction by Obie-winner Katie Pearl, prevent the scenario from overcampifying and keep the play fresh and funny.
In true Fuse Box fashion, this is a multimedia show, with music being spun by Michael Joplin of "Aux Armes" and beautiful, spacey video art by Michelle Mayer. Sculptural design elements were contributed by sculptor Kurt Mueller (Arthouse's "New American Talent" and the Texas Biennial). The script makes the good decision to include the DJ in the story line, as Noah’s “sponsor” upon his release from the center. The stagehands also double as actors in various scenes, which extends their goofy, kinetic energy from the scene changes into the space of the performance.
Wireless-Less is adept at creating and channeling this energy, which, in its total humanism, laughs in the face of techno-domination. Long live the new flesh!
Wireless-Less
Refraction Arts' Fuse Box Festival
The Blue Theater [map]
Thurs, April 19, 8 PM
Fri, April 20, 8 PM
Sat, April 21, 2 PM
Sun, April 22, 6 PM
[Tickets online] / 512.927.1118
$5-25
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I asked the UT Theater and Dance students I correspond with what was the one "must-see" play of last weeks's Cohen New Plays festival. The answer in all cases was "Wireless-less".
Based just on the buzz and the standing room only shows last week I predict this play will lead the pack in the number of B. Iden Payne award and Austin Critics' Circle award nominations.
Get your tickets online now.
Curious, how long does the play run? I just found out I've got a day off this weekend and I'm trying to make room for much as I can -- there are so many beautiful things happening in this city right now!
Tomorrow night's performance (Sunday at 6pm) is your last chance to see it. That is...until some smart cookie does a remount!