Oklahoma City - True West

Last weekend, thanks to my sister, I had the fortunate opportunity to see Sam Shepard's True West performed live in Oklahoma City. The local Actors Warehouse Studio staged the performance and the cast was outstanding.

If you haven't seen or read True West, and I hadn't, it is both painful drama and painful comedy. I don't say such disparagingly, rather that it makes you laugh in a dark way and touches on the rather remote parts of your emotions too.

Jon Haque and Barrett Davidson, in the two lead roles, were simply amazing. The play demands an exciting level of physical acting and they delivered without hesitation. I can say, having watched from the front row, I don't know how they could possibly have done another performance the next day. I was tired just having watched them.

It's also fair to state, and if your familiar with the play you'll understand this, I'm not having toast for some time.

I'm glad to have found a new venue to watch live performance at Actors Warehouse Studio. If you haven't been, make certain to follow their upcoming calendar to check out this gem in Oklahoma City.

Thee and Thou

Having a drink at the Lobby Bar in Oklahoma City the other night, our group was joined (having been evicted from his own table...) by a delightful fellow by the name of Jon Haque. He claimed to be an actor and after much lively conversation, invited us to attend a play in which he was currently performing entitled Thee and Thou.

I enjoy the theatre, though I truly don't attend often enough, and I do believe that even a bad play is often better than any sitcom. Fortunately, this was a great production. Several of the cast members were truly talented and brilliantly entertaining. This is not a review, and I am certainly not qualified, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Jon in particular had us laughing to the point of tears.

The play is a Shakespearean farce, set at the Globe Theatre in 1599. Interestingly enough it is written by an Oklahoman, Bret Jones, who has penned a hilarious work. Unfortunately, the show's run has ended at the Jewel Box Theatre, but if you ever have the opportunity to see a performance, leap at the chance.