Modern American humor is often predicated on an extensive and complex knowledge of pop-cultural nuances. Little else can explain the success of television programs like “Robot Chicken” or “Family Guy,” whose main humor derives from referencing other entertainment or pop events. In this vein, the Whole Art Late Night series will be presenting their production “Familiar Faces and Peculiar Places.”
Comprised of four short plays by local playwrights, “Familiar Faces and Peculiar Places” seeks to tap into this kind of referential humor. All four of the plays look at characters established in the pop-culture consciousness and throw them into new and interesting situations.
It’s the allusions and extensions of pop culture that are sure to make for a fun production.
One of the plays works as an epilogue to the relationship of Buttercup and Westley (the couple who is in wuv, twoo wuv, as depicted in the film “The Princess Bride”). Another is an interesting interpretation of ’80s cartoon institutions like “Jem and the Holograms” and the “Transformers.” The other two plays also present pop-cultural touchstones in some new and unique ways.
The included plays are “The Lost Sexperience,” and comical allusion to “Lost” written by John D. Stahl, directed by John Thierwechter. “The Six-fingered Man,” wherein Inigo Montoya interrupts Westley and
Buttercup on their wedding night, written by Nancy Stefanick, directed by Sarah MacLean-Nagle. “The Strange
Case of Hector Ramirez,” written by Randy Wyatt, directed by Adam Carter, is a fun detective story that examines the death of television reporter Ramirez (who appeared as “the television reporter” in the “Hasbro” cartoons).
Joe Sanders, one of the writers for the production, describes his play “No Country For Old Men” as “A parody of the Oscars, not the film itself. What I did was take the five actors nominated for Best Actor Oscars in 2007 and gave them each their own melodramatic, over-the-top storyline.
The play got its title when “No Country For Old Men” won best picture. It’s completely ridiculous,
off-the-wall humor, and the director (Trevor Stefanick) has some really interesting things planned for the production.”
“Familiar Faces and Peculiar Places” performs Dec. 5, 6, 12, and 13 at 11 p.m. at the Whole Art Studio, 246 N. Kalamazoo Mall across from the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Tickets are $5 and the Whole Art will provide complimentary coffee and donuts.
