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Masthead
A CurtainUp Review
Tales of an Urban Indian
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Choice is the only thing you never lose.—-Simon Douglas
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Darrell Dennis
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The first part of Simon's narrative covers his childhood and adolescence, growing up dirt poor while the white kids around him either ignored him or made fun of him. The second part covers his early career as an actor, his drug and alcohol addiction and his first attempts at rehab. This part could be called Tales of an Addict, since his Indian heritage is no longer an essential element. Strangely, for a show about assimilation, there's a lot of stereotyping: Whites are uptight, West Coast inhabitants are perpetually stoned, cockroaches speak in Mexican accents, and God is Jackie Mason. Much of i this is intentional. . . but still. . . Dennis is a sincere and heartfelt performer, and he manages to almost pull off the clichéd ending which, in less sincere hands, would degenerate into maudlin schmaltz. I'd love to sit down with him and hear more of his story over a cup of coffee, but watching him in this solo gives the impression that he's trying to be a stand-up comedian, complete with wacky characters and impersonations. If he would just be himself, he could completely charm an audience with his forthright honesty. No impersonations required.
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Tales of an Urban Indian Written and performed by Darrell Dennis Directed by Herbie Barnes Set Design: Beowulf Boritt Lighting Design: Russell H. Champa Costume Design: Fritz Masten Sound Design: Matt Hubbs Running Time: 85 minutes with no intermission The Public Theatre, 425 Lafayette Street; 212-967-7555 Tickets $10 Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday to Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm & 8pm; Sunday at 2pm & 7pm February 20 — March 15 Reviewed by Jenny Sandman based on March 1st performance |
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Playbill 2007-08 Yearbook
Leonard Maltin's 2008 Movie Guide
Wicked
Jersey Boys
The Little Mermaid
Lion King
Shrek The Musical
South Pacific
In the Heights
Playbill 2007-08 Yearbook
Leonard Maltin's 2008 Movie Guide