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3rd
Annual New York International Fringe Festival
**Fringe Excellence Awards given out August
29th**
"Right On, America"
by Josh A. Cagan and Daniel Trujillo
At Surf Reality
Reviewed by David Roberts for Theatre Reviews Limited
Everything you ever wanted to say about America but were afraid
to, in case Big Brother was listening or watching or checking your
E-Mail at work. These are the things Josh A. Cagan and Daniel Trujillo
say for you in a shameless and very funny way in their 1999 FringeNYC
offering "Right On, America" playing at Surf Reality.
Cagan and Trujillo and their intoxicatingly funny cast claim not
to care so the audience doesn't have to either. With concern about
caring out of the way, cast and audience are free to kick back and
kick the pants off all the icons of the land of the free and the
home of the brave. And, at the same time, this creative team is
smart enough to poke a bit of fun at themselves on the way. And
all of this comes off as the most patriotic business simply because
it exercises the very freedom it diagnoses and finds less than robust.
If you thought you knew the "good guys" from the "bad guys" this
show will (fortunately) surprise you. If the line between those
two "moral majorities" was blurred enough for you before seeing
"Right On, America" you'll leave tickled pink. Neither motherhood
and apple pie, nor fatherhood and sobriety are left unscathed in
this hour-long blitz of well written and well acted vignettes. The
cast is on target all of the time and change characters as quickly
as the synapse activity in your brain as it readies for the next
challenge to political stasis and decorum.
Thoughtful political satire and utter silliness abound in "Right
On, America." Some of the issues addressed are incest, pedophilia,
racism, homophobia, sweat shops, and organized religion. You'll
howl at the scene which depicts the Pope (yes, that one!) summoning
Bible-Tron (the super-hero Catholic robot) to root out and destroy
"The Gay." Listen for the answer Dave Thomas of Wendy's gives when
asked (regarding homosexuality), "Where does it come from?" And
watch out for "The Man." Despite the best efforts of this wonderful
"Right On, America," he might just still be in charge. There's a
thought, Mr. Smarty-Pants.
Reviewed on Wednesday, August 18, 1999
"RIGHT ON, AMERICA"
By Josh A. Cagan and Daniel Trujillo. Directed by R. Scott Olmstead.
Stage manager, Monica Mason. Original music by Brad Alexander. Presented
by Bryan Mason at Surf Reality, 172 Allen Street between Stanton
and Rivington. In August at the FringeNYC Festival on the following
dates: Friday the 20th at 7:45 p.m.; Saturday the 21st at 1:30 p.m.;
Monday the 23rd at 5:30 p.m.; Thursday the 26th at 7:00 p.m.; and
Saturday the 28th at Noon. $11.00. For information and reservations
visit http://www.fringenyc.org
WITH: Jack G. Bethke (Angry Guy), Erica Leerhsen (Ovder-It Gal),
Rick Plaugher (Happy Guy), Richard Robichaux (Sensible Guy), Sarah
Saltzberg (Into-It Gal) and Harper Jones (Mr. Smarty-Pants. This
role played by The Rube at the performance on Wednesday, August
18th.
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