NOTHING SHEEPISH ABOUT BIZARRE 'CRACKERNUTS'.Byline: - Evan Henerson APPARENTLY, the makers of the recently concluded Edge of the World Festival mean business. If ``Kate Crackernuts'' was any kind of a sampling of what was on stage during the annual two-week festival, then the ``edge'' in EdgeFest was alive and sharp. Based on an already bizarre fairy tale fairy tale Simple narrative typically of folk origin dealing with supernatural beings. Fairy tales may be written or told for the amusement of children or may have a more sophisticated narrative containing supernatural or obviously improbable events, scenes, and personages concerning a sheep-headed girl and her plucky pluck·y adj. pluck·i·er, pluck·i·est Having or showing courage and spirit in trying circumstances. See Synonyms at brave. pluck sister, ``Crackernuts'' has got to be one of the weirdest things to arrive on an L.A. stage since ... what? ... since enemas Enemas Definition An enema is the insertion of a solution into the rectum and lower intestine. Purpose Enemas may be given for the following purposes: Precautions met Greek tragedy on a computerized badminton court in the Wooster Group's ``To You, the Birdie.'' No, come to think of it, ``Kate Crackernuts'' even out-weirds the Woosters. That ``Kate Crackernuts'' is directed by Jessica Kubzansky, the same lady who brought such period elegance to Lillian Hellman's ``Toys in the Attic'' at the Colony Theatre demonstrates that some people can't be pigeonholed. Instead of tightly wound New Orleans sisters, we get decapitated de·cap·i·tate tr.v. de·cap·i·tat·ed, de·cap·i·tat·ing, de·cap·i·tates To cut off the head of; behead. [Late Latin d sheep, toilet-bound crones stroking dead ravens, adult babies, feckless feck·less adj. 1. Lacking purpose or vitality; feeble or ineffective. 2. Careless and irresponsible. [Scots feck, effect (alteration of effect) + -less. Prince Charmings and a room full of grin-happy ravers. Oh, and Kate. Tomboyish, can-do Kate (played by Ashley West Leonard) has a devotion to her beautiful sister Anne (Kellie Waymire) that knows no boundaries. Well, maybe just one ... See, there's this enchanted en·chant tr.v. en·chant·ed, en·chant·ing, en·chants 1. To cast a spell over; bewitch. 2. To attract and delight; entrance. See Synonyms at charm. prince named Paul (played by Thomas Patrick Kelley) who is wasting away and in constant communication with a wraithlike Adj. 1. wraithlike - lacking in substance; "strange fancies of unreal and shadowy worlds"- W.A.Butler; "dim shadowy forms"; "a wraithlike column of smoke" shadowy puppet of flying gauze gauze (gawz) a light, open-meshed fabric of muslin or similar material. absorbable gauze gauze made from oxidized cellulose. (operated by Monika Jolly). Kate's quest to remove Anne's enchantment gets interrupted when she also agrees to care for Prince Paul. Love and lust ensue. Meanwhile, Anne, whose looks have always been her chief attribute, manages to secure the affections of another prince: Ralph (Ryun Yu) who doesn't much care what she looks like. Trailing the action is a newly headless sheep (Joshua Wolf Coleman) who, upon hearing that a human is walking around with something he lost, decides to simply walk up and ask for its return. The tale itself promises a happily-ever-after resolution, but playwright Sheila Callaghan spikes her adaptation with battery acid. People have to die, after all, so that others can live. And people should be careful before they start messing around with change. All of this - and more! - plays considerably more surrealistic sur·re·al·is·tic adj. 1. Of or relating to surrealism. 2. Having an oddly dreamlike or unreal quality. sur·re than words can convey. There are video screens, sliding warehouse door entrances and exits, and a constant barrage of futuristically clad party goers (Libby Palmer is the production's costumer). Kubzansky encourages camp and her cast eagerly complies. Will it be to everybody's taste? Not nearly, but for sheer out-there peculiarity, Kate and the sheep take the prize. Evan Henerson, (818) 713-3651 evan.henerson(at)dailynews.com KATE CRACKERNUTS - Two and one half stars Where: 24th Street Theatre, 1117 24th St., Los Angeles. When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday; through Nov. 9. Tickets: $15. Call (213) 745-6516. In a nutshell: Not even the Grimms could dream up something this bizarre. |
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