The life of a stage performer is a tough one, and the midlife even tougher.
Broom Street Theater's current production of "Melvin the Angry Magician," written and directed by Scott Feiner, follows the frustrations of an aging illusionist who becomes disillusioned as he attempts to recapture some of his old magic and relevance.
In the tradition of Broom Street, "Melvin" is thought-provoking and experimental, creating rich layers by weaving movement and metaphor between the dialogue and scenes.
"I've devoted my life to entertaining people in person, not on TV or the Internet," says Melvin, played by Joseph Lutz, as he laments the difficulty in finding an audience in the fast-paced and detached information age.
Lutz powerful in 'Angry Magician'
broomstreet.org
Broom Street says "Melvin" is a "feel-good tale of belligerence, tenacity and deceit for a modern world in which a disgruntled magician makes no allowances for children, cuddly animals or his fans in his quest for unhappiness.
"Magic is all about challenging people's perceptions," Melvin reflects, "but I have to get their attention first. And I don't know how to do that anymore."
The Capital Times source
Fred Ericksen for MagicZoom
