The Velocity of Gary (Not His Real Name)
Friday 3/2 8:00pm
Saturday 3/3 8:00pm
Thursday 3/8 8:00pm
Friday 3/9 8:00pm
Saturday 3/10 8:00pm
Saturday 3/10 11:00pm
$10
The Voice Shop ~ 1296 N. Wishon Ave.
Written by James Still
Directed by J. Daniel Herring
Starring Terry Lewis
Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.
A story, a confession, a revelation this one-man play takes place in the past, in the present and in the infinity of Gary’s mind. Armed with his theme (“Anything can happen”) and a pair of leopard-print underwear Gary dreams about kissing somebody, but along the way finds himself in New York addicted to phone sex, attending memorial services for strangers and passing out at the memory of Cream of Wheat boxes. His affinity for strange situations leads him through an unforgettable circle of porn stars, deaf transvestites and a dog named Rodney. It’s through his surprising friendships with a man named Valentino and a woman named Mary Carmen that Gary discovers his greatest poetry, humor, pain and hope.
Contains Mature Subject Matter and Nudity
Theater/Drama, 1 hour 15 minutes, rated NC-17
No latecomers allowed
He is an absolutely amazing actor! Unfortunately, the script was weak in many areas. Not a feel-good play and it seemed as if the script was stuffed with unnecessary parts just to try to elicit emotions that weren’t earned.
Followed a pick by The Fresno Bee’s Donald Munro in 7 on Friday and went to see “The Velocity of Gary (Not His Real Name).” Wow. Did not know what I was in for – which is part of the Rogue experience – being open to anything that happens (including adjacent and outside noise, people trying to come in late, banging on the door and etc.). You just go with the flow.
“Velocity” is a adult theater experience. Meaning it’s rated NC-17, but also that it goes to some dark life places. Doing a one-man show is daring enough, but the actor in this piece does it naked, at times literally, at other times emotionally — though as a man who sees nothing in his reflection, the emotions are subtle and challenging. The main three characters he evokes make for a compelling story that has you fully involved in their lives.
I did feel like it could have been edited down a little, but at 90 min. perhaps that was just more than I expected. So know that going in. I do think the script could benefit from some tightening — it drags in parts — but they’ve got a solid base from which to work, and perhaps they will heed viewers’ comments/reactions (such as to a bit that could be offensive to Latinos – feeding into a stereotype), or even better, their own instincts as they go forward.
It’s not perfect, but it is well worth seeing.
Check out a review of The Velocity of Gary in Kings River Life Magazine http://kingsriverlife.com/03/03/rogue-reviews-2012/
Lorie
The show begins with the actor completely nude for no other reason than to create a shocking introduction to what will unravel into a mess of clichéd vignettes of characters that the audience will ultimately not care about. I am about as far from a “prude” that one can be, but even from five rows back, I nearly puked at the sight of the actor’s flaccid member as he recited lines from a script that could have been written by a community college theater student. Example: (actual lines from play) “suddenly I hear screeching tires, everything is going a hundred miles an hour, what’s happening?”
Later in the play he pulls ol’ flaccid out again for another cameo. This play is trying so hard to be good. Too hard. It wants so bad to be edgy San Francisco theater or NYC black box. I felt like the people around me were compelled to jump to their feet at the end, not because the show warranted a standing ovation, but because they too wanted to feel edgy. But everything tried way too hard. If I could ask for my money back I would. If I could take back this hour of my life, I would.
Weak play and weak writing. The storyline to nowhere that is of no consequence. The venue, however, was nice.
Anyone who knows me well, knows that even thought I have been doing theater for over 30 years now, I RARELY go see any in town… because I am a brutal critic and think most of what is being offered is either old and tired, or crap. I don’t like hurting anyone’s feelings and I don’t like to lie, so I usually just don’t say anything.
OK, so, that being said… I LOVED this show! It is well written, well directed and beautifully acted. I quickly became enthralled and was completely engaged through out the entire show. I totally disagree with Sporky’s evaluation! This play isn’t “trying” to be anything. Humans are complicated and beautiful and scared and dirty and yes, even hopeful. I truly did care about the characters. It was moving, powerful, pure…. good f’ing theater!
Thank you for helping me to remember why it is that I love theater in the first place!
Courage and powerful acting in a show that I found fascinating and moving.
Thank you Terry Lewis and J Daniel for bringing this show to Fresno. Outstanding.
LOVED this show!!
What a dated, trite piece of self-indulgent schlock. The acting was fine, even nuanced at times (mostly by the penis), but the script was some of the most ham-fisted, derivative drivel this side of daytime TV, revealing as much insight into the human condition as a hallmark card. I hope the actor makes better choices going forward, for him and his little buddy.