I guess I'm a Gorey Girl through and through because I loved every aspect of Gorey Stories. And because I'm a technician first and foremost, my gush-list starts with the designers. The Costumes by Ann Closs Farley and Set Design by the insanely talented Joel Daavid were yummy. The stories, justly Gorey-esque, were brilliantly brought to life by Pat Towne and his cast of talented actors from a myriad of LA theatre companies. I leaned over to my friend and stated, mid-show, that I'd love to come back on Halloween night. If I can find time in my busy schedule I will definitely go back and see this one again. Originally I had the opportunity to work on this production however I was already booked for a part of the run. I'm definitely jealous of the crew, as they get to watch this show 3 times a week until Halloween.
On Saturday night I traveled down to the LBC to see a production of Love, Bukowski at CalRep. CalRep is the graduate portion of the theatre department of CSULB, of which I received my BA degree. I went to the show because it was "Alumni Night" and the prospect of seeing fellow friends that I hadn't seen in a while intrigued me more than supporting CalRep. That's a long, involved story that is suitable for another post should I feel so inclined. Back to the production. The show, although nicely done, couldn't hold my attention span. I wrote my blog entry during the production and felt bitter that the show had killed my buzz. I stated afterwards that it felt like "glossy" Bukowski. The others in my party were more intimately familiar with Bukowski as well as a previous production of this show and still had similar thoughts as myself. It's been getting good reviews so what does my opinion matter really? That's just what it is, an opinion. Go see for yourself. This town has numerous live theatre productions on a nightly basis, something for everyone!
x
GLOSSY BUKOWSKI
Relieved to finally find a review where someone speaks the truth.
With “Love, Bukowski"'s great actors, fantastic stage craft/lighting, and Bukowski’s inspired seedy verbiage, it’s a shame the production didn’t work.
The “Love” in “Love, Bukowski” dripped with sentimentality like a Hallmark Valentine’s Day card: Sure Bukowski SAYS he wants to thrust his cock in and out of your cunt while his fingers pull your fleshy ass slapping into his lap, and his greasy pores sweat booze and bile, BUT… DEEP DOWN… He’s just a guy who gets his clean white Ts and freshly pressed khakis from the GAP, washes his hair with Herbal Essence, and would like nothing better than to bring you a dozen red roses, sip a little merlot on the beach at sunset, and serenade you on the balcony with a Michael Bolton love ballad.
Blehhhh!
You'll never guess where I saw the cleanest, freshest pair of tighty-whities I have ever seen in my life... That's right, on an actor playing Bukowski. (???)
Yes, the honesty that Bukowski mines from deep inside the dark lonely wanton corner of his soul is what elevates his carnality and bile into the realm of beauty and art, but… who wants to see Fabio play Bukowski? Or Alan Alda? Bukowski for the whole family? Disneyland Bukowski? Instead of “Love, Bukowski”, the sensibility of the show should have been “Fuck Bukowski” (And The Stinky Cunt Smell On His Filthy Fingers).
Bukowski (the man) was like a potato pulled right out of the earth: All natural and covered with dirt. This production, in recognition and admiration of the artistic beauty of Bukowski’s work, has mashed the potato and smothered it with sour cream.
Maybe this is the artistic director's sentimental love note to Bukowski.
I don’t need or want anyone to tell me how beautiful Bukowski’s work is. I want to experience it! In all its seediness!
I found all those glowing reviews disturbing. I’m relieved to stumble upon your blog of sanity.
Posted by: jx2pz | October 11, 2005 at 01:27 AM
thanks so much for the kind words and a review that speaks the truth as well. who were all those people giving it a good review anyways???!!?? hope you enjoy the rest of the site.
Posted by: shannon | October 11, 2005 at 09:26 AM