Theater, Music, Etcetera, Etcetera
By Ali Trachta in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 28, 2008 6:22PM
“There are gunshots in this show, but don’t be alarmed.” That was the last thing we heard just before the lights went dark, and it suddenly became clear we had no idea what to expect from the seventh annual Etcetera Festival.
The show is presented by The Mill Theatre, a local group that has produced progressive theater for the last six years. In Etcetera, The Mill strings together works of performance art that are not your average variety show. More than just a comedic sketch here and a musical number there, the artists producing these vignettes feature truly inventive spins on old tricks.
Prime example: we thought overhead projectors died after 5th grade along with film strips and slideshows, but Jaclyn Biskup found a way to revive them. Using it as a visual aid, she illustrates her poignant adapted essay on the pros of traveling to far off exotic locales, as well as just through one’s own bedroom.
Vernon Tonges’ musical performance is priceless. He wails on the acoustic guitar, using lyrics to declare himself the Juggernaut of the Blues. His songs are full of bluesy hootin’ and hollerin’, foot stomping and mighty running high notes. It is the kind of show that would mortify you if it were your dad up there, but since it isn’t you can see it for the hilarious powerhouse of a performance that it is. It’s not about entertaining the audience, it’s more about Vernon letting loose and entertaining himself, which is a refreshing change.
Another standout performance is “Sweetline,” a vibrant blend of African capoeira (yes, we had to Wiki that too) and Indonesian dance choreographed and performed by Julia Rae Antonik and Jonathan Meyer. Involving very limited music and unlike any form of dance we’d ever seen, it took a few minutes to wrap our heads around the movements. But the artistry of the dance, which involved elaborate poses and immense strength and flexibility suddenly became the most luxurious form of dance we’d ever seen. Just watching it felt like doing yoga then getting a massage. It was a genuine treat for the eyes.
Tonight and Sunday you can catch Etcetera’s “Program B,” which features a completely different series of performances, or you can see this show again on Saturday. We think The Mill is putting forth such high quality work that you should snag a ticket for both.
The Etcetera Festival, Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston.
March 28 - 30 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $15, or $20 for a Festival pass.
Photo courtesy of The Mill Theatre.