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Writing for CurtainUp NYC Weather
Eyewitness Blues
By Jenny Sandman
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O sing, heavenly muse, and tell me what the fuck is going on!
--Junior, Eyewitness Blues You don't choose the blues. The blues chooses you. --Muse, Eyewitness Blues |
Steven Sapp
(Photo: Joan Marcus) |
Junior is accompanied by two trumpet-playing musicians (Antoine Drye and Paul Jonathan Thompson) in the attempt to explore his life. Using his own music and rhythms, he interweaves bits of his past into a strange tapestry of songs, poetry, rap riffs, and memories. Meanwhile, the sassy Muse spins her own tapestry of song and dance (most memorably with a long flamenco number). She prods Junior to go deeper and farther into his psyche.
The two playwrights/actors, Ruiz and Sapp, are magnetic and charismatic. They're clearly passionate about their music and material. If only they'd been equally passionate about structuring their play which would have been well served it it mirrored the music which, seems imprompty but has a definite structure and rhythmr.
Junior's journey, while emotional, has no clear progression in time (or space). For all the lovely music, the play feels hollow at the core.
The production values are excellent, especially the soundscape. The music is heartfelt, the costumes are colorful and vibrant, and the set is richly, lushly red, with a dark wood thrust runway and tilted oversize mirrors. In a way, all this only serves to highlight the lack of story and dramatic tension. As Shakespeare would say, this play is sound and fury, signifying nothing. .
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EYEWITNESS BLUES Written and performed by Mildred Ruiz and Steven Sapp Directed by Talvin Wilks Also with Antoine Drye and Paul Jonathan Thompson Music by Antoine Drye, Carlos Pimentel, and Paul Jonathan Thompson Set Design by Narelle Sissons Costume Design by Emilio Sosa Lighting Design by Heather Carson Sound Design by Darron L West and Bray Poor Running time: One hour and twenty minutes with no intermission New York Theatre Workshop, 79 East 4th Street, 212-239-6200. Monday, Tuesday and Sunday at 7 pm, Wednesday through Saturday at 8 pm, Saturday and Sunday at 3 and 7 pm. All tickets $50. 03/01/05 through 04/10/05 Reviewed by Jenny Sandman based on March 20th performance |
Easy-on-the budget super gift for yourself and your musical loving friends. Tons of gorgeous pictures.
Retold by Tina Packer of Shakespeare & Co.
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Our Review
At This Theater
Leonard Maltin's 2005 Movie Guide
Ridiculous!The Theatrical Life & Times of Charles Ludlam
6, 500 Comparative Phrases including 800 Shakespearean Metaphors by CurtainUp's editor.
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