Hand to God

I got to see Hand to God the other day at Dobama Theater.  I enjoyed it and all of it's dark humor, but it wasn't what I was expecting.   It was advertised as a cross between Avenue Q and the Book of Mormon, two shows that I really love.  This show had puppets and a religious theme, but that's where the similarities ended.

Premise: a widowed woman works for the church and is trying to put on a puppet show.  Her son, Jason has a puppet (Tyrone) that has a very dark streak, eventually leading the group to believe that he is possessed by the devil.   

Tons of dark religious psychology in this show.  Eventually, Tyrone is revealed to be a manifestation of Jason's pain for his father's death.   Also, lots of violence and a gratuitous puppet sex scene.   This show is definitely for the 21 and over crowd.   It's not a musical, so you don't go home with a song in your heart.   Tyrone's last speech actually reminds me of Puck's at the end of A Midsummer Night's Dream.  The effect is eerie and fascinating.   :If you like creepy plays, watch this.  If dolls and puppets scare you, or if the religious overtones hit close to home, I'd advise you to avoid it.   It's not every day you see a guy bludgeon his own hand with a hammer.

Body Awareness

Last Sunday, we went to see Body Awareness at the Beck Center.  It was advertised as a comedy.  Honestly, I would call it a drama, but comedy is technically correct because there is a happy ending and no one dies.   This play deals with mental illness and a family's functioning or lack there of.  Admittedly, there are humous moments, but overall, I consider this to be a very serious play.  It is continuous with no intermission.

The House of Blue Leaves

I just saw the House of Blue Leaves.  It's funny that the Beck Center would feature two works that feature mental illness in a family context simultaneously.  This play is about a zookeeper, Arnie, who dreams of being a musician for Hollywood movies in the 1960s.  He lives with his wife, Bananas, who suffers from schizophrenia.  Arnie currently has a relationship with their downstairs neighbor, Bunny, because his wife is so different from the woman he married.  Bunny and Arnie plan on leaving for California while committing Bananas to a mental institution.

This play has many madcap moments of comedy, but it is a black comedy.   I wish it had been more of a funny play.  You do feel for the characters.  The actors emote extremely well.  But overall, I feel that this is more of a tragic story.  The show runs until April 21.

Next to Normal

We just saw Next to Normal at the Beck Center.  Absolutely amazing!   I don't think I've cried so hard at a theater in my life.  The story is that powerful.  It is a rock musical.  The music is completely appropriate to the feelings expressed in the story.

Next to Normal is about a woman with bipolar disorder and how it impacts the life of her family.   It shows the struggles she experiences with medicines and treatment.   This is a very real portrayal of life with a loved one with mental illness.   I highly recommend seeing this show.  It is playing until April 21.  Also, bring tissues.