It seems at every festival at least one play serves as notice of what not to do when staging a production. For whatever reason, Deranged Love took the unwanted prize on this day. The idea looked great on paper: David Hasselhoff – a caricature of cheese actors born to be skewered – goes to hell after popping one too many prescription pills with vodka and makes a deal with the devil to return to the land of the living if he wins a reality TV competition. Sounds perfect for a Fringe environment. However, when the lead shows up on stage to a Western soundtrack, telling the audience that the Hasselhoff character couldn’t make it and is now being played by Clint Eastwood, it’s hard to swallow. Throw together a convoluted plot, performances that feel as though they were rehearsed with only a few hours to spare, and it’s a recipe for disaster. To all young playwrights, actors, and directors: if the lead actor doesn’t show for any reason, make sure to have someone well practiced to step in at a moment’s notice, or cancel the show for the day. It will save everyone involved the embarrassment, and most importantly, it will save those who bought a ticket their time and money. Seen on Sept. 2
This article appears in Aug 31 – Sep 6, 2006.
UPDATE: Word is this play has been cancelled. It’s unfortunate because with a few tweaks and more passion from it’s leads, this could have worked. I encourage those involved to keep at it.
I would like to take this time to apologize for my performance and this production, I believe that the press has been fair to me in the past and I truly deserved this. I am working it out with my lawyer right now to give everyone who saw this production their money back, I certainly hope they have change for a 20. To make up for this show I vow on my next production I will take everyone out for cheese and crackers afterwards, or maybe even during the show, because I treat everyone in my audience like family.Why this sucked :It all came down to a lighting crew, and a co star that didn’t get my unique working and the way I entertain, this doesn’t necessarily mean I despise or have anything against these people what so ever, I just wont be sending them a Christmas Card or working with them again.I want to thank everyone who believes and supports my vision, thank you all so very much:)