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Arts: Theater
M E T R O
Talking Monkeys and Existentialism Equal Zany Fun at Fort Gordon By Rhonda Jones
S P I R I T J U L Y 1 1 2 0 0 2
"If it hurts, we'll check it out."
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Photo by Steve Walpert
"Something To Feel Good About"
DR. JOHN M. DOWNEY
Bonnie Welder and Robert Schwamberger in a scene from “Universal Language.” A con-man tries to teach a shy woman the imaginary language of Unamunda – the Universal Language.
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first glance at the mini-summaries of the playlets that comprise David Ives’ “All in the Timing,” might lead one to believe the theatre had formed an unholy alliance with “Saturday Night Live,” or “Monty Python’s Flying Circus.” “It just ain’t so, says Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre director Steve Walpert. “It’s got an improv feel to it, a very spontaneous feel. While it’s kind of a commentary on the world we live in, it’s not really a satire,” he said. “It doesn’t take off on government or current political figures.” He said “All in the Timing” is a bit above the SNL skits. “It’s more of a stage piece rather than a piece that’s totally consumable. Some of them will make you think. It’s a bit avant-garde, but it’s still fun.” The pieces range between 10 and 20 minutes, Walpert said, with each act containing three. Act I “Sure Thing” is about two people who meet in a cafe and find their way through a “conversational minefield.” They’re falling in love, see, and an off-stage bell complicates the already nerve-wracking pitfalls of having a conversation with someone you’re into. “Words, Words, Words” is about those three monkeys at work producing “Hamlet.” Fortunately, they have all of Infinity to do it. Oh, and they can apparently talk. “The Universal Language” is about a young woman who stutters and a man who has created a crazy language called Unamunda. As she learns it, they leap through some verbal hoops and manage, somehow, to fall in love.
Act II “Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread” portrays composer Philip Glass trying to buy a loaf of bread while having an existential crisis. It is a “parodic musical vignette in trademark Glassian style.” Can’t get enough of those existential crises. “The Philadelphia” is about a young man in a restaurant having “a Philadelphia,” which is not a sandwich, but a weird state in which nothing goes right and he can’t get anything he asks for. Sounds a bit Seinfeldian to me. “Variations on the Death of Trotsky” is about the Russian revolutionary on his final day, “desperately trying to cope with the mountain-climber’s axe he’s discovered in his head.” “They are related only in that they all kind of focus on the words,” Walpert said. “It’s a very bright and witty play. He’s (Ives) very thoughtful in his use of words. Communication is paramount.” Walpert chose “All in the Timing,” he said, because it’s popular and has enjoyed good reviews. He’s seen “Sure Thing” and “The Philadelphia” performed as solo pieces, but has never experienced the whole thing live. “We encourage people to come out,” he said. “Sometimes in the summer, theatre isn’t the first thing on people’s minds.” But, he added, it’s a good way to have a fun summer evening out. Nice meal, nice show. “All in the Timing” will be performed by the Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre on July 12-13, 19-20, 25-27. Dinner begins at 7 p.m.; show starts at 8:00. Tickets are $30 general admission and $28 for seniors who are 65 and over. For more info, call the box office at 793-8552.
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