TELLURIDE THEATRE: WAKE UP!

17 Aug TELLURIDE THEATRE: WAKE UP!

The Bóogravîan Opera Naçionale is Presenting to All Peoples Very Nice Spectacle

Here’s the BIG QUESTION: When the hip cat’s away will the mice still play? Rather, produce a play?

There was much gnashing of teeth and beating on chests when Telluride Theatre’s artistic director, Sasha Cucciniello, announced she was taking a well earned, much needed chill pill this summer. She was not going to be writing. She would not be directing. She would not be acting. Nada.

A summer tradition over past six (?) years, (formerly under the auspices of SquidShow Theatre), Sasha and trusted collaborators from New York –  director Jen Wineman, playwright Sarah Gancher, and designer Melissa Trn –  have filled the slot reserved for an original play. And the results have been memorable: “Con: A Play About Liars,” (2011), “Cataclysm!” (2010), and “Squids! Live!” (2009).

So with Sasha out of the picture, now what?

Well, now “Wake Up!”

“Wake Up! ((From Ample Generosity of Glorious Leader #1, Valdimir “The Thunderer” Bóogravîboat)” opens Tuesday, August 21 and runs thought Friday, August 24. The production takes place at The Telluride Pavillion (the white tent adjacent to the Post Office.) Showtime is 8 p.m.

Thanks to Sarah and Jen, the Bóogravîan Opera Nacionale has come to Telluride to present their most famous and glorious epic, “Wake Up!” Unfortunately, this troupe of “actors” is sub par at best. Not only have they never performed this play before, but it’s likely they’ve never even SEEN a play before. It seems Bóogravîa is a sad little country, wedged just between Bumblefuggria and East Jesustan. Their national sport is Donkey Ball, and their traditional delicacy is cat meat. No one’s English is very good, but that’s no surprise considering they learned it from watching a certain 90’s horror flick.

So how does that dearth of talent translate onto the stage?

When you come down to the Telluride Pavillion at the end of town, expect to see some hilariously bad acting, some atrocious singing, some very inept dancing, and definitely lots of tears.

In other words, come armed with tomatoes.

“Wake Up!” is performed by Sam Burgess, Rachel Cooke, Tom Shane, Luke Slattery, Melissa Sumpter, and Colin Sullivan, who is also executive director of Telluride Theatre.

FREE and open to the public ($10 suggested donation. A hat will be passed.)

Note: The show is not suitable for children under 15.

To learn more, click the “play” button and listen to what Jen and Sarah have to say.