Stage Fog: Theater for People Who Hate Theater
Welcome to another edition of Theater for People Who Hate Theater, also known as, How the hell do you group together rednecks, improv film and burlesque into some cohesive introduction? We won't try, because each of these shows are categories unto themselves, and all make for unique theater experiences to be had in the Mission.
Trailer Town at The Marsh
What do you do when some corporate land developer yahoo wants to bulldoze your trailer park, threatening your collection of muumuus, Bud bottles and that velvet portrait of Elvis? Have a garage sale, of course. Welcome to Trailer Town, where car batteries go to die and the local petting zoo's only attraction has mange, but the citizens have as much pride in their park as Richard Marx had in his mullet, and they aren't about to let it be turned into a yuppie golf course. Come meet the NASCAR fanatics and shopping channel addicts and let them regale you with their insight on current events, political corruption and love triangles--after all, these geniuses are played by national and Bay Area talent including Diane Amos (yep, the Pine Sol lady, Debi Durst, Paco Romane and Chris Meehan, among others. And don't forget to bring something for the garage sale--and be prepared for audience participation. Penned and directed by Fox Television Network veteran Mary Jo Pritchard, Trailer Town looks like it may be yet another hit at The Marsh, one of the city's best venues for new work and comedy. Officially opens Friday, August 19.
The Impossible Film Project at the Dark Room
It's theater. No, wait, it's improv. No, it's film. Whatever the hell it is, The Impossible Film Project's Quicktime clips from the first two weekends look pretty intriguing. Commandeering improv's modus operandi of audience suggestion, Un-Scripted Theater Company takes those insane ideas to the streets and mixes a completely improvised movie (and what better place to film than on Mission between 18th and 19th Streets?) using three cameras, a cast of actors and quick wits. If the last two weeks are any indication, be prepared for hot encounters, fistfights and even a loss of bladder control. That's the beauty of live theat...uh, film?...you never know what'll happen. Playing through August 27.
Hot Summer Nights with Big Burlesque and More, More, More! at Theatre Rhinoceros
Promising to burn off the San Francisco fog with their hot burlesque and dance, Big Burlesque (The Original Fat-Bottom Revue) and Phat Fly Girls of Big Moves bump, grind and gyrate for one more weekend at Theatre Rhinoceros. Yep, burlesque is back big time, or hadn't you noticed? If you like your performers with some meat on their ribs, as opposed to the heroin-chic look, then the Rhino's your place, where these babes bring some wicked dance moves, a healthy dose of empowerment and a whole lot of attitude. Each weekend is a different show, but guest artists include Rev. Lea Brown and Rudan Raunchee on the subject of erotica, Harlem Shake Burlesque's Alotta Boutte, belly dance by Raks-Al Tasneem, Celestina Meow-Meow from Liquid Fire and Gia Coquette as The Candy Girl. Closing August 20.
Photo: The cast of Trailer Town.