Just Do Art!: Trav. S.D. Tent Show Tetragrammaton
Posted April 1, 2011 at 1:55 pm
by Scott Stiffler, The Villager
An undead bluesman croons a mournful tune amidst bayou decay while keeping his gun trained on trespassers; a flim-flam man and his partner breeze into a respectful Connecticut town with a violent but artistically gifted Apeman in tow; a leisure-suited crooner strums the ukulele during intermission; and an accordion-wielding gypsy divines your future by peering into her mystic bowl of spaghetti. Oh, you’ll get all of this — and a little more — when you witness the sick and silly spectacle that is “Trav S.D.’s Tent Show Tetragrammaton.” This dark and funny collection of short plays plunges its audience down a dirty coal shoot which leads to a sooty pit where themes of identity and transformation marinate pulpy takes on American folk tales (whose twist endings will leave a bitter but satisfying taste in your mouth). Full disclosure: The damaged brain behind this production, Trav S.D., is a good friend of this publication (and author of a monthly column on Downtown theater). Nevertheless, we’d tell you if the show wasn’t worth your time (which it is). Become a believer by seeing for yourself — and by evening’s end, you’ll either be sold on Mr. S.D.’s talent as a playwright/performer or entirely enraged that he’s failed to live up to his own lofty standards. Either way, in the spirit of the show’s traveling carnival aesthetic, there will be no refunds. This Way to the Egress!