27 May The Palm: Bob Dubac’s “The Book of Moron”
Dubac, being himself- or an alter ego
“Dubac’s ‘The Book of Moron’ is fast-paced, loaded with intelligent thought-provoking conundrums and witticism, and always a laugh a minute. …a razor-sharp comedian,” The Denver Post
Bob Dubac first visited Telluride in 1975.
“My buddy and I limped into town in a broken truck in a blizzard. We rented a room with two or three beds for $20 a night – and skipped out on the check. We owe someone in Telluride (or somewhere) $50.”
He returned in 1996, a funny Valentine, to perform “Male Intellect: An Oxymoron,” mid-February. Opening night, the house was a respectable two-thirds full. Within 24 hours, however, the buzz had hit the street: Telluride fell hard for the talented writer and actor and his play, a tour de force about a war that predates Thermaopylae – the Battle of the Sexes, in which he plays a guy, actually a quintet of guys, his alter egos, trying to get back his girl.
Dubac and wife Lauren, who also experienced love at first sight, wound up buying property on Wilson Mesa. “Male Intellect” went on to become an international franchise, shows constantly running in Germany, Scotland, Sweden, Israel and Austria, with McDubacs (clones) performing non-stop when the original was otherwise engaged. (Dubac, who started out life as a teen magician phenom still has not figured out how to be in two places at once.)
And now Bob Dubac is back in town, where, on June 6, he addresses the Telluride High School graduating class of 2014. Promise if the speech is anything like his plays, it will be a lollapalooza: irreverent, funny, and thought-provoking. Dubac is an abundantly talented comedic actor, whose performances never topple into hokum sitcom or tired stand-up gags. He is comfortable on a high wire, performing solo without a net.
Something of a preview of what’s in store for the caps and gowns, on Tuesday, June 3, at The Palm, Dubac performs his newest one-man show, “The Book of Moron.” Show time is 7 p.m.
To set the record straight, “The Book of Moron” has zilch to do with “The Book of Mormon.” Mitt Romney will not make a cameo. The play is about a brain-injured patient struggling to recover his memory of himself.
It’s not the typical brain damage,” he says. “You know, from watching ‘Duck Dynasty.’”
Robert, Dubac’s Everyman persona, is bombarded by so much information, white noise, hype and spin, he can’t remember who he is or what he believes in. Does he have a purpose? Can he think for himself? Is the truth in the details – or in the pudding? The poor guy hasn’t a clue, but racks his brain searching for answers. Instead he finds voices who pull him into a parallel universe in search of the Bigger Picture. It’s a head trip – on a banana peel.
Dubac belongs to a rare breed of monologists who use words, characters and humor to create a show that is hard to pigeon hole, but easy to enjoy. While very funny, Dubac is not a jokester:
“A joke announces itself: ‘Get ready. I’m going to do or say something funny now.’ Jokes are formulaic: set-up, details, punch line.”
Like your satire served up with a clever intelligent edge? Want to hear a voice that speaks as though it originated from inside your own frustrated head? Tired of adolescent comedy generated by the mediocrity of television? This Bud’s (u-r-r, Bob) for you.
Dubac is all about observational humor, incisive and on target. In response to his derring-do, audiences tend to squirm as barbs hit their mark.
Check out Dubac’s tagline for “Moron”: “If thinking was easy, everyone would do it.”
Bob Dubac generously offered a portion of the proceeds from “Moron” to the local educational foundation, WER1, whose mission is to expand and enrich academic, artistic and leadership opportunities for students, to motivate and recognize those who guide students, to encourage strong volunteer involvement and to broaden community support for the Telluride R-1 school district.
Tickets are $25 for adults; $15 for students. VIP tables are also available.
On sale now by phone at 970-369-5673 or online at www.telluridepalm.com.
To learn more, click the “play” and listen to my chat with Bob Dubac.
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