The Grim Reaper is shamed, graves are being filled back in, and everyone gets one question before they’re sent to heaven or hell. Such are some of the realities presented in EMU’s “Cat Scratch Theatre,” the purported 10-play (actually 11-play) series of shorts designed to entertain, excite, trick and tease. The two-and-a-half hour festival has its moments of poignancy and hilarity. But much of the time, the production can be awkward and dull, even painful. At one point, a character vents his frustration at a life full of confusion and non-sequiturs: “Life was just a parade of ‘what the hell?’”
So too, at times, with "Cat Scratch Theatre."
Showing again this Friday and Saturday at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., “Cat Scratch Theatre” is put on by EMU Theatre, a collective devoted to getting the community involved in the dramaturgical arts. For community involvement — an important job — the collective does a fine job. But in regard to putting on plays that tickle or torment the audience, there is work to be done.
“Grim Reaper” is the flagship of the festival — written by Dean Bevan and directed by David Butterfield, the play presents an elderly couple (John Mosher and Carol Holstead) who receive the Grim Reaper (Brent McCall) as a guest. Fortunately for them, they’re too blind and hard of hearing to know what he’s about, and so proceed to fancy him as a mere mortal. Eventually guessing that he’s a shepherd, they set his shepherd’s crook (scythe) aside and take him in as a guest. Exasperated with one humiliating misunderstanding after another, Death exclaims, “I’m used to having people fear me — you don’t even respect me!”
“What’d he say?” asks the old woman.
“Says we don’t respect him ‘cause he’s queer,’” misinterprets the old man.
“Aww, sir, we’ll respect you no matter what you do with them sheep!”
Other worthwhile sections include EMU’s skits, “You Are Not Watching TV” among them, and the 10th play, “Flying Ninja.” EMU’s skits about its mission of community involvement include commentary on esoteric theatre and the difference between passively watching TV and actively watching or doing theatre. “Flying Ninja” is a sobering one-woman show directed by Larry Mitchell. Starring Elizabeth Sullivan as “Fro,” the play’s mood goes against the tide of the festival, lending a brain to the otherwise comedy-oriented grouping.
Most of the other productions, however, don’t add up to much more than a few witty lines and the occasional surprise ending. “Hiccup,” “Bee Actor” and “Dinner Party” aren’t quite funny, yet also don’t get the mind working on an interesting idea. Despite good performances by Ashley Pool and Bonnie Cherry, the plays lack vital energy or nuance needed from the script. “All the Answers” and “Mickey Rourke Should Play Bukowski Again, Now that He Really is Old and Ugly” seem well-written with some good acting, but don’t pull off (perhaps because the plays are so short) much of a vested interest from the audience.
Most painful is the seventh play, “The Exquisite Corpse in the Apocalypse.” Between a confusing script and unhelpful directing, the play loses the audience after about 20 lines, never to get them back. Other annoyances of the festival include forgotten lines and an egregious click-clacking of high heels on the floor above the performance hall. Nothing kills the mood quite as much as the sound of 4-inch heels tromping across the ceiling.
Comments
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lawrencenerd (anonymous) says…
It sounds like you were there the same night I was. The art center doesn't usually have large parties going on, but they did on Saturday, hence hearing people walking up stairs.
Also, it isn't purported as a 10-play festival. It is a 10 minute play festival. It is written right there on the front of the program.
As for “The Exquisite Corpse in the Apocalypse” I'm going to go ahead and assume that you don't even know what an exquisite corpse is. If you did, you might have enjoyed it more. I've enjoyed making exquisite corpses for years, and it is great to see one in play form.
It appears you have different taste, or bias, than me and most of the audience. "Grim Reaper" certainly didn't get the most laughs from the audience. It is a good play, but in my opinion not significantly more so than others you've given less flattering reviews.
rbs (anonymous) replies…
Nice post, nerd--I agree completely. I saw the show on opening night, so I did not experience the same distractions. Friday's performance was great.
It is important to remember that EMU is not just the average, mainstream community theater--it has in its history specialized in more obscure types of theatrical performance, plays by area/local playwrights, and more. . . let's say 'tongue-in-cheek' pieces. I would venture a guess that Mr. Hardy is not completely familiar with EMU's history in Lawrence.
It should also be mentioned that the play "Grim Reaper," by local playwright Dean Bevan, has been chosen for performance in several national play festivals. It is definitely worth going to see.
barbaloot (anonymous) says…
As a theatre critic, I am sure that he is very familiar with exquisite corpse. I think that he got the general idea. I think that this corpse was just... not so exquisite. It was heavy and slow.
"Grim Reaper" wasn't my favorite play either. Although the script was kind of a yawn, that play had more energy, better acting, and better direction than "Exquisite Corpse". But that's the great thing about reviews, and about art in general: it's all so subjective.
I enjoyed the evening because overall it was an entertaining evening. And theatre doesn't have to be 'high art' to be entertaining. Some of the writing was hilarious, some of it was good, some just so-so, and some downright awful. Across the board though, acting was better than usual for community theatre.
I think that supporters of local arts should definitely see this show. Let's not forget that EMU is throwing a festival for local playwrights, here. There's not enough of that going on.
So, kudos to everyone involved. It takes b*lls to put your art out there like that.
childothe80s (anonymous) says…
As the director of one of the plays, I appreciate the constructive nature of Mr Hardy's critique. He did not flame the show completely, he pointed out positives in the show, including mine, as well as things that can be improved. That is the sign of a good critic.
EMU is a local, community theater group and we like to emphasize that in all of our shows. We consider it a showcase of local writing, directing and acting talent. Our ultimate hope is that you enjoy the show in general and hope that at least one, if not all, of the plays strike your fancy or satiate your theatrical tastes as well as appealing to you in some way.
Thank you all for offering your kind comments and for coming out, seeing the show and most of all, supporting local theater.
rtpayton (anonymous) says…
Doesn't like Ted Nugent cat scratch fever theatre.
rushrich (anonymous) says…
I, for one, would love to get all of Emu together and give them a big hug for all the hard work that goes into putting on one of these events.
Surely it is obvious that there is little to no (emphasis on the NO) money to be made and the amount of work that is put into even 10 minute plays is more than most of us would commit to our jobs that actually pay us.
Kudos for showcasing local actors! Kudos for showcasing local directors! Kudos for showcasing local writers! Kudos for eveyone involved in EMU in any way!
Keep on doing a great job, EMU!!!!!!!!!!
dgspurgin (anonymous) says…
I'll preface my comment by saying I'm the writer, director, and an actor in one of the 10 minute festival plays, "You Are Not Watching Tv"
The merits of this review can be debated. What shouldn't be debated is that, like peas and carrots, critical voices outside EMU are good for EMU (and critical voices inside the group are good too)! Inside EMU we do a good job of telling one another how awesome we are (because we are). But we need the critical voices too because they challenge us to improve our directing, our writing, our acting, etc. We may never become perfect, but we can become better every time we're part of an EMU production.
I talked with a number of audience members about my own play and was told the 1st scene of my play didn't work very well. As an actor in the piece I could feel this both nights of the performance. I could be a fool and blame the audience for this problem... but these critical voices help me see that the writing/directing is to blame (I don't believe this is a blame thing - so let's just say the writing/directing of scene 1 needs to improved).
I do believe there are many well constructed, thoughtful moments in my play but I'm REALLY interested in what DOESN'T work in my play and I'm thankful a few critical voices were brave enough to tell me what they thought.
We don't have to agree with the critical voices but we should 1) embrace the critical voices, and 2) let them know we welcome their criticism.
p.s. Thanks for all the positive and critical comments Lawrence!