Sep 04 2013
Joyce Carol Oates’ 1990 Play ‘Tone Clusters’ Showcases the Age of Media Spectacle
Multiple Pulitzer prize nominee Joyce Carol Oates’ 1990 play, Tone Clusters, comes to the open-air theater Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga Canyon this month.
The two-person play, which is based on the story of a man convicted for murdering a 13 year old girl, is directed by Mike Peebler, and stars Alan Blumenfeld and Katherine James. Tone Clusters, according to Peebler, “ is about the ‘spectacularization’ of tragedy in our culture…
It’s about the way we take horrible events and turn them into a product to be consumed, passing instantaneous judgment and dehumanizing those involved in the process.”
The actors, Blumenfeld and James, play the roles of Frank and Emily Gulick respectively – a regular American couple who are thrust into the spotlight when their son is arrested for killing a girl in their neighborhood.
Although “the media” as a collective presence, is not seen on stage, a disembodied voice played by Jeff Wiesen, symbolizes the unseen role of the press.
GUESTS: Actors Alan Blumenfeld, Katherine James, and Jeff Wiesen
WHEN:?Performances: Sept. 5 – October 12
Thursday, Sept. 5 @ 8 p.m.*
Thursday, Sept. 12 @ 8 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 19 @ 8 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 26 @ 8 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 4 @ 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 12 @ 8 p.m.?
*The audience talk-back on Sept. 5 will be moderated by the author, Joyce Carol Oates
WHERE:?Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum?, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd.?Topanga CA 90290? (midway between Pacific Coast Highway and the Ventura Freeway)
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT ?(310) 455-3723 or www.theatricum.com?.
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