Displaying items by tag: Jack Johnson

I went to see "A Story Told in Seven Fights" at Neo-Futurists Theater on my birthday for two reasons. One, I wanted to have a fun, exciting interactive theater experience and two, because my dear friend and college classmate, actor, comedy writer Phil Riddarelli was one of the original members and founders of the theatre’s longest running hit, "Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind.” 

I am happy to say it was a very happy birthday experience indeed. 

Even if you know nothing about the play's stories regarding the rift that occurred between the ensemble members and original founder Greg Allen in 2016, which prompted the company members to change its most popular production's name to "The Infinite Wrench," or the seven real life historical fights between Arthur Cravan, or his contemporaries Tristan Tzara and Andre Breton and boxing champion Jack Johnson, you will STILL totally enjoy this show! If unfamiliar, worry not. You'll catch on quick and, in the process, learn amazing stories such as the time when Cravan, a poet and philosopher in the early 20th century who ushered in the birth of Dadaism and Surrealism, actually fought the unbeatable Jack Johnson in an exposition match that he publicized to raise money for himself. This is just one of his many fights.

"Seven Fights" is the epitome of what this theatre stands for as it holds true to that from the Neo Futurist company’s website info: 
"From our namesakes, the Italian Futurists, came the exultation of speed, brevity, compression, dynamism, and the explosion of preconceived notions (although not the warlike fascist tendencies). From Dada and Surrealism came the joy of randomness and the thrill of the unconscious. From the theatrical experiments of the 1960’s came audience interaction, breaking down all notions of distance, character, setting, and illusion. Finally, from the political turmoil of the 1980’s came a socially conscious voice and a low-tech, “poor theater” format. This aesthetic would eventually become the guiding principle of all work produced by The Neo-Futurists".

"Youth in revolt!" If it's a system, it needs to be smashed. The safety bubble created to protect us from the system has now become a system - so let's smash it. 

Trevor Dawkins and director Tony Santiago have created a 90-minute long format play that is socially conscious, exciting to watch and full of "poor theater" energy that keeps the audience both laughing and thinking at the same time for every minute of this super funny and thought-provoking production. "Seven fights" is Oracle Production's Tony Santiago's Neo-Futurist debut and it appears he's a good fit for the progressive theatre company. Dawkins also gets a huge assist from his surrounding cast members that include Jen Ellison, Rasell Holt, Arti Ishak, TJ Medel, Kendra Miller, Stephanie Shum and Jeff Trainor. Holt is exceptional as legendary Jack Johnson (not the guitarist!) who became the first African-American World Heavyweight Champion in 1908. Ellison also stands out in a surprise role, infusing her own unique blend of humor into the production, a talent that has been enjoyed in past productions by both Neo-Futurist and Second City fans.  

Cast members actually stage elaborate fights under Gaby Labotka's well-choreographed fight direction and do other interesting things like drawing a chalk line on the stage where they talk to each in "real life" on one side of the line and "in character" on the other side of the line. Throughout the play audience is swept along to consider their own inner battles with how to properly and safely express anger over whatever may be "seven fights' in their own lives, perhaps like the ones many of us feel we are experiencing under Trump's reign of terror in our country right now.

In most of our lives actual fighting is not the answer for normal, yet persecuted, people to pursue without making the situation worse. 

Dawkin's very interesting script, which reminds me of a famous ensemble piece about the Kennedy assassination called "The Serpent" back in the 60's, gives the audience many entertaining and thoughtful ways to channel their anger and even turn it into humor and art. 

I highly recommend this super funny, energy-packed show to people of all ages who want to have a lively and positive theater experience that they will not forget. 

"A Story Told in Seven Fights" is currently being performed at the Neo-Futurists Theatre through April 7th. For more show info visit www.neofuturists.org.

American Theatre Company and veteran TV writer Marco Ramirez collaborate to bring this boxing drama to life. Loosely inspired by the real life of Jack Johnson, 'The Royale' tells the story of a young African American heavyweight champ, Jay Jackson, and his rise to fame for usurping a title from the standing white champion. Set against the backdrop of the turn-of-the-century Jim Crow era South, we’re shown a world in which fame can transcend political boundaries, or at least provide the illusion of such.

'The Royale' stars Jerod Haynes as Jay, the fast-talking fighter who brings a unique clarity to the mindset of a character who would likely be pretty punchy after fifteen years of professional boxing. We meet Jay in the spotlight of the ring in a fight against his soon-to-be sparring partner Fish (Julian Parker). Parker's subtle performance is an unexpected gem in this slightly overwrought drama. The eleven o'clock performance in this short-lived epic is that of Mildred Langford in the role of Nina, Jay's sister who comes to warn him about the potential race war his win could cause.

The major issue plaguing this play is not the fascinating direction by Jaime Castaneda nor the incredible sets designed by Brian Sidney Bembridge. What this script suffers from is brevity. A troubling new trend in playwriting, perhaps borrowed from TV writing, is the 90 minute drama. It works when the script can fill the entire hour and a half block, but when it cuts closer to 70 minutes, it makes it nearly impossible for an audience to invest.

Still, despite the length of this new play, Ramirez's succinctness tells a complete story, however brief. The achievement is to tell such a short story without sacrificing depth, of which there is plenty here.

The Royale at American Theatre Company. 1909 West Byron Street. (773) 409-4125. Through March 29th

*-Jerod Haynes as Jay in Chicago premiere of The Royale at American Theater Company. Photo by Michael Brosilow