Iowa City 1/29/2010 Order:
We had a great opening show. Thanks to everyone who came and either performed or watched. Hope you come again. Bring friends. The order is in the comments section.
Labels: Iowa City
posted by Eli at 12:23 AM
18 Comments:
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BUSRIDE. BUS-RIDE. BUSSSSSSSRIDE.
The Order (CORRECTED):
1) A Modest Quarrel -by Spencer Abbe
2) Dear Kristen Steward 0by J.D. Salinger
3) Steve -by the Anonymous Cliche (Eli)
3.5) On the Bus Ride Home - by Paranoid Schizophrenia
4) Walking Shadow - by Andrew Clancey
5) Ha! Ha! - by Asher Stuhlman
6) Four Terrible Poems I wrote in Middle School Read in a Dramatic Manner - by Mirri
7) Apprentice & My butt -by A Curious Smile
8) I'm Not Wearing Pants Right Now! -by Morgan Miller
9) Dear Iowa City City Council - by Evan Skank
10) "A Love Like No Other" by Dr. Mondo Buttplug
11) Shit I Dunno - by Brett and Devon
12) Winter Water Logs - by ?
13) American Black Box Presents : An American Block Box Christmas Special - by American Black Box
13.5) Jelly Belly - by Calvin
14) The Death and Burial of Mama Cass the Cat - by Patrick Aschraft
15) Zoorette's Syndrome -by Eric Landuyt
16) Rock and Roll Pizza - by Katy Baggs
17) Paulie Crestfallen the Clown with Major Depressive Disorder Makes a Friend -by Luke Christensen
1) A Modest Quarrel by Spencer Abbe
Fun to be in. I enjoyed the Swift references.
2) Dear Kristen Stewart by J.D. Salinger
I think this is an accurate impression of any Kristen Stewart/Twilight fan.
3) Steve by the Anonymous Cliche
I hadn't originally intended to show my butt, but it suddenly struck me that my butt was hanging out in room full of people and I actually didn't feel uncomfortable about it.
3.5) On the Bus Ride Home by Paranoid Schizophrenia/4) Walking Shadow by Andrew Clancey
I’m very sorry, but I’m currently drawing a blank on these two. Maybe a description will help jog my memory.
5) Ha! Ha! by Asher Stuhlman
This was very well-written and performed. As it went on, I started imagining the two characters were dead and the cab ride was like the ferry ride across the river Styx. Kjai’s semi-maniacal expressions were great.
6) Four Terrible Poems I wrote in Middle School Read in a Dramatic Manner by Mirri
Mirri performed these with great energy, and some parts of the writing didn't seem that bad to me. Maybe I'm still a middle schooler at heart.
7) Apprentice & My Butt by A Curious Smile
I'm REALLY SORRY that I messed up reading this piece. I thought it was a really good story and I hope it still came off well despite my derailing it with misreadings.
8) I'm Not Wearing Pants Right Now! by Morgan Miller
This piece was cute. The writing was dryly funny and Morgan’s performance was sweet.
9) Dear Iowa City City Council by Evan Skank
Hilarious! The lengths to which some people take their stupidity boggles my mind. I especially like the image of a guy following his cat around the house and pushing it over to prove a point.
10) "A Love Like No Other" by Dr. Mondo Buttplug
Very fun to watch. There were some truly bizarre lines (how can you banjo-fuck someone, and who calls their lover a pickle?) that the actors delivered with great expression. The accents made it funnier.
The more I think about this piece, it actually becomes oddly moving. The plot is fairly serious: A couple who have fallen out of love are trying to come to terms with each other’s needs and avoid a breakup by realizing they still love each other. It could have been a dramatic piece if they didn’t mention making canyons ring with the sounds of their sodomy.
11) Shit I Dunno by Brett and Devon
I usually don’t like it when performers show up drunk/stoned and screw around onstage, but I have to admit some parts of this were funny. They should have quit while they were ahead though.
12) Winter Water Logs
I like stories like this when an author takes a relatively simple event and describes it in an evocative way. Describing a hungover college kid pooping and vomiting in such a dramatic way brought out extra humor in it.
13) American Black Box Presents: An American Block Box Christmas Special
I laughed until I cried; “they got hit in the penis left and right!” sent me over the edge. Calling the kid “Ho Malone” was also a great touch. I only wish he included chapter breaks.
13.5) Jelly Belly - by Calvin
This was hilarious! Kjai gave it such gusto; his energy is fantastic.
14) The Death and Burial of Mama Cass the Cat - by Patrick Aschraft
Patrick always performs monologues in an honest, believable style that makes the audience sympathize with his characters. This had a great premise and Patrick gave it fantastic detail.
15) Zoorette's Syndrome -by Eric Landuyt
I think this is one of the best concepts I’ve come up with. Thanks to all the actors who did a great job.
16) Rock and Roll Pizza - by Katy Baggs
I love how Katy can come up with something so out of left field and makes it so fun to watch. Wonderfully bizarre imagery.
17) Paulie Crestfallen the Clown with Major Depressive Disorder Makes a Friend -by Luke Christensen
This piece was better with Luke humming the song instead of playing a CD; it added an extra layer of vulnerability to Paulie’s actions. Luke’s commitment to his clowning is excellent.
A Review by Eli: Part 1
1) A Modest Quarrel -by Spencer Abbe
It was nice to see Spencer try a sketch. It had some good lines in there. I only wish there was a bigger surprise at the end.
2) Dear Kristen Steward 0by J.D. Salinger
-This was cute. I felt that the piece should have been in James' name instead of J.D. Salinger but that is a very minor note. I also wish it went to another level near the end. To what level? That is for James to decide.
3) Steve -by the Anonymous Cliche (Eli)
-This was mine. I really had nothing going into the show so I sat and just did a back and forth writing exercise. It was alright. Some good lines. Needed a stronger ending and to go to a more disturbing place.
3.5) On the Bus Ride Home - by Paranoid Schizophrenia
-First, too long for a point 5. Second, it was quite predictable. I figured it was either a body or bomb in the bag. I think David has the creepy scripting thing down. If it works, it works. If it becomes too predictable and cliche people will start to tune out before you even have a chance to get their attention.
4) Walking Shadow - by Andrew Clancey
-I also thought this was going in the ferryman on the river styx direction. So I was surprised when that wasn't the case. Kjai really carried this piece. I think if it was a tad shorter, it would be really good and good change of pace.
5) Ha! Ha! - by Asher Stuhlman
I wish the delivery was more of like: two men, completely deadpan, facing the audience. No sign of emotion. No break of character for the Michael Jackson moment. That would've pointed out the pointlessness and peoples cliched way of getting into those types of conversations. I see this is what Asher had scripted I just felt there was too much emotion in there.
6) Four Terrible Poems I wrote in Middle School Read in a Dramatic Manner - by Mirri
-There was some really funny moments in these. Then others where it was just kind of eh. I think I would've cut the last two poems and just done the first two since they were way funnier. More of a sprint than the 400 meters.
7) Apprentice & My butt -by A Curious Smile
-This was also cute. A bit too long. It had some fluff that I think wasn't necessary. But there was definitely some things I agreed with in this. Like the BS about being "over-qualified" for a job. (I'm in a similar boat right now)
A Review By Eli: Part 2
8) I'm Not Wearing Pants Right Now! -by Morgan Miller
-This also had some fluff in it that could've been cut out. I also felt that some of the jokes about "funny business" and "perverse" that could've been shorted to something like "Well, generally." Followed by either an innocent look or smile or something. Letting the body make the joke instead of the text. Other than that it was pretty entertaining.
9) Dear Iowa City City Council - by Evan Skank
-I nearly died. This is Evan at his best. Period. The Board was "on" on Friday. His delivery was excellent.
10) "A Love Like No Other" by Dr. Mondo Buttplug
-Who are you Dr. Mondo? I seriously want to know. I thought this was leagues above the good Doc's Best Of piece from last semester. It did have that extra touch of drama that really made the piece complete.
11) Shit I Dunno - by Brett and Devon
-Eh. I think I would've rather had them come in a bit more prepared. Like ask the audience BEFORE the show for topics then put those on stage. Plus wasn't that Jay-Z bit not original?
12) Winter Water Logs - by ?
- This piece had three nice levels. At first I thought it would be a serious story. Then it went to a dark place and then at the perfect moment pushed forward into an even darker and more disgusting place. Well done. There were a lot of pieces about Butt's this week. Was it poster induced?
13) American Black Box Presents : An American Block Box Christmas Special - by American Black Box
-I miss American Black Box. This piece was really funny. But I really missed the "Do you like books? Do you like movies? Have you heard that people always say that the book is better than the movie? Well I write the books!" and the random chapter numbers. But other than that minor note, this was great. I miss Benyo. He always had great characters onstage. I hope he performs some more.
13.5) Jelly Belly - by Calvin
-This was supposed to go up on Dead Week last Dec. but I forgot it. So I gave it to Kjai. It was supposed to go for the whole five minutes but I am glad he kept it short.
14) The Death and Burial of Mama Cass the Cat - by Patrick Aschraft
-You know a piece is good when you hear it twice at No Shame, twice in playwriting workshops and it is still a pleasure to listen to. I was quite familiar with this piece and it was good to see people in the audience making emotional noises when the kids kill the cat. For those who don't know Patrick is a former No Shame Board Member who graced the stage a few years ago so it was great seeing him back if only for one show.
15) Zoorette's Syndrome -by Eric Landuyt
-Funny concept. I just thought there was too much going on. I think focusing on one conversation without the narrator would've been funnier. Like a really heated conversation that keeps getting worse and worse with the animal noises. I did like the one new performer who came looking to act.
16) Rock and Roll Pizza - by Katy Baggs
-OMG. I already smell Best Of. I particularly liked the line about him taking down pants and giving the worlds most awesome blowjob. So I guess the Rock and Roll Pizza is gay/ bisexual. And the line about him falling down and shooting your dad eleven times. I laughed out loud on that one. Twice.
17) Paulie Crestfallen the Clown with Major Depressive Disorder Makes a Friend -by Luke Christensen
-I love how dedicated Luke is to Paulie. He is Paulie from the second he enters the theatre until after the show. I also thought that the piece was better without the music because it added another layer of pathetic-ness to Paulie (since he only knew the one part). This piece was great. I hope Paulie shows up a couple of more times this semester.
All in all this was a great opening show. I hope everyone comes back for seconds next week!
Given that this was a pretty long show I can't remember 100% of it but I will do my best.
1) A Modest Quarrel -by Spencer Abbe
This piece was alright. It was a little low key and I think it could have benefited from being deeper in the order so the room was warmed up, but it went okay. I like that Mr. Abbe is continuing to right, I follow the careers of new faces with interest.
2) Dear Kristen Steward 0by J.D. Salinger
I can't remember the jokes from this piece but I remember I liked them and laughed.
3) Steve -by the Anonymous Cliche (Eli)
I liked this piece. Kjai did a good job acting, Eric also gave it the college try but was ultimately outshone by his own butt. I know the feeling.
3.5) On the Bus Ride Home - by Paranoid Schizophrenia
so earlier today I was walking downtown and I saw David Rout near Brookland Park and said "Hello" as we passed, but he didn't say a damn thing
FUCK THAT
4) Walking Shadow - by Andrew Clancey
If Kjai's character was supposed to be extremely disconcerting then he did a fantastic job. The writing was also fun and engaging. I wanted to know what was going on, but I didn't think there was any mystical subtext.
5) Ha! Ha! - by Asher Stuhlman
Hmmm... I have to admit I can't remember much of this piece. I think I was fucking around reading through my piece. It was about the people who have died recently, yeah? Asher's pieces are okay but I think what really turns them on is Asher's presence in them.
6) Four Terrible Poems I wrote in Middle School Read in a Dramatic Manner - by Mirri
Mirri turned it on for the show and performed the hell out of her stuff. The first one was hilarious but I think it went maybe one poem too long.
7) Apprentice & My butt -by A Curious Smile
Uhm?
8) I'm Not Wearing Pants Right Now! -by Morgan Miller
I liked this monologue. It was cool in that it was a completely plausible story while being hell of hilarious. Also legs.
9) Dear Iowa City City Council - by Evan Skank
I wrote this about an hour before the show. It followed my absurdist formula. I was pleased by the audience's reaction.
10) "A Love Like No Other" by Dr. Mondo Buttplug
I enjoyed ACTING THE FUCK out of this piece. Pieces from Der Doktor are cool because their impenetrably vulgar, they don't make any outward sense, and they're totally dependent on the cold read.
11) Shit I Dunno - by Brett and Devon
Brett and Devon came up to me in the lounge and asked if they could just go out on the stage and do whatever for five minutes, even if they had nothing planned. I told them we could accommodate them. It went well, due in part to the fact that it came in the middle of a killer show. Three solid pieces in a row had the audience heated up. I wouldn't mind seeing these guys again but in a weaker show this kind of thing can break bad.
12) Winter Water Logs - by ?
Poops. This reminded me of a urban legend Katy told me about a college guy trying to shit and piss in a girl's apartment but he had a massive erection so he kept fucking it up and it ended in pain and trauma. It also reminds me of the time I went to take a shower in Currier and there was a stall with raw hamburger all over the floor.
13) American Black Box Presents : An American Block Box Christmas Special - by American Black Box
This broke from ABB formula by lacking the intro and chapter format but SHIT was it hilarious. The irony of being named "Ho Malone" was probably my favorite gag.
13.5) Jelly Belly - by Calvin
Yeah, sell that shit, Kjai.
14) The Death and Burial of Mama Cass the Cat - by Patrick Aschraft
A tender story about adolescent felicide. I thought it was a good quasi-serious piece, particularly since we don't see those much anymore.
15) Zoorette's Syndrome -by Eric Landuyt
This had a good concept but I would have trimmed a little to make it punchier. The best scene was the one in the middle where the mother ruined her kid's life and her marriage.
16) Rock and Roll Pizza - by Katy Baggs
Yes. I loved this piece, and I most of all loved its precipitous descent into total madness. At the time I thought the best gag was finding out abruptly without foreshadowing that the second-person character was a guy and Rock and Roll Pizza was blowing him, but on reflection the best image is Rock and Roll Pizza being too fucked up to understand his pants and trying to put his dick in his pocket, and then he drops a bag of heroin in front of your dad.
17) Paulie Crestfallen the Clown with Major Depressive Disorder Makes a Friend -by Luke Christensen
Paulie Crestfallen is probably the best continuing character No Shame has seen since Michael Tabor last played himself, and I mean that as the highest compliment.
Now that I have been reminded about 3.5, 4, and 5, I have some more thoughts:
3.5) On the Bus Ride Home - by Paranoid Schizophrenia
Definitely too long for a point-five. David comes up with some good concepts and just needs to keep honing his writing a bit more.
4) Walking Shadow - by Andrew Clancey
I got mixed up and thought the cab driver piece was Asher's. All previous comments on #5 actually apply to this one.
5) Ha! Ha! - by Asher Stuhlman
Good for a couple cheap laughs but ultimately so-so to me.
14) The Death and Burial of Mama Cass the Cat - by Patrick Aschraft
I thought I had heard a similar story from Patrick once before. But I see nothing wrong with revising one's previous pieces and trying them out again. No Shame is about experimenting, and some pieces might be worth multiple trials until the desired result is achieved.
All around, an excellent show. I'm glad new people came specifically to act and I hope more will come back.
I'm Dr. Mondo. Eat my hole!
Present it then and I will. Onstage if I have to.
I liked this show. There was much talk about bottoms.
I would like to point out that the anonymous poster claiming to be me is an impostor. While I do understand the perks of anonymity, I would appreciate it if no one else pretended to be me, onstage or off.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mondo Buttplug, Esq.
P.S. Any hole-eating will have to take place onstage
Would onstage hole-eating be a violation of the "don't break people/things/laws" rule?
Technically performing an actual sex act on stage breaks a laws, so it would break the No Shame rules.
What are you going to do about it Dr. Mondo??? Set your killer bunny puppet on me?
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First, I would like to say that Mr. Happy Bunny is my creation. Not Dr. Mondo's. Secondly, since I am not Dr. Mondo, there is no way he could sick Mr. Happy Bunny on you.
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