Intimate stage performance is rich in relatable reminiscences
July 5, 2014
Under a company name so new that it still has that “new creativity smell,” two long-time artistic collaborators have joined forces as One Giraffe in a memorable, moving theatrical experience, “Are You There, George?” This is an irresistible piece, a one-woman tour de force guided by an equally gifted and intuitive director. Such a one-two theatrical punch should be savored whenever possible – this is the kind of performance gift true theatre patrons desire, and comes along only on rare occasions.
Often, the hyperbole of a show’s tag line outshines or misleads the actual production. Not so in this case. This show is billed as “Complete with sacrificial chickens, water bras, and Judaism, “Are You There, George?” promises a comedic and heartfelt look at what it means to be not only twelve, but human.” “George” delectably delivers much more than this promotional promise. The diverse audience responded alike, all laughing, praising and, yes, wiping the occasional tear away. This show proved to be a bonding experience for production team and audience, with even the men attesting to the powerful universal messages contained within. Women in the audience, of course, totally get it! And, all parents quickly connected with the challenges their children endured.
In a series of quickly evolving scenes, Maria Vorhis, as Natalie, completely embodies all of the seismic emotional shifts a 12-year old girl experiences. With Christmas quickly approaching, Natalie copes with the disintegration of her parent’s marriage, her quest for belonging, an ever-shifting spiritual journey, and her core frustration: when will she grow boobs! Vorhis radiates a completely vulnerable, sympathetic Natalie – or, Nat, as the reaction-triggering, off-staged voice of her mother calls her. Her ability to allow such a candid and unfiltered view of Natalie gives Vorhis an immediate bond with the audience, which seems to instantly embrace the situation with a nurturing, protective acceptance. Cleverly crafted monologues coupled with a keen eye for timing and detail from her director, Kaitlyn Busbee, blend into a nicely arcing series of intertwined story lines rocketing to a rewarding, heartfelt conclusion. The script has enough leeway to allow Vorhis’ improvisational gifts to shine when needed, often in response to what a mis-struck match or responses from the audience dictate. Ah, yes, the fire theme – this is a clever device to separate the scenes, and one of many marvelous nuances intertwined throughout the show. Vorhis is limber, her facial expressions and posturing speaking volumes, as she unfolds this current piece of Natalie’s life. Vorhis’ trust in her director elevates her performance, bringing a masterful, memorable flashback for all to recall the specialness of that vulnerable, defining age.
One of the most important, and fulfilling, aspects of this production is when the actress and the director join the audience for a post-production chat. Informative, gratifying and wonderfully interactive, everyone relished this casual opportunity to process what they had just experienced with the show’s creators. They learned that Vorhis started writing her script some time ago, often using Busbee as her sounding board during its development. The natural evolution which led to their actress/director partnership was inevitable, especially after their acceptance in the Minnesota Fringe Festival, and they both realized they had a creative deadline to meet.
The success of their living room and small space performances has encouraged the One Giraffe franchise to consider future such shows, so take heart that you may still be able experience this wondrous performance, and may even be able to host such a show. Now, that’s something to ponder, and a rare treat to share with friends.
In the meantime, consider joining One Giraffe at the Englert Theatre as part of their Englert Intimate Series on Sat. July 12 for one night only in Iowa City (http://www.englerttemp.info/eventDetail.php?ID=138).
They will perform their show five times between Sat. Aug. 2 and Sat. Aug. 9 (http://www.fringefestival.org/2014/show/?id=2756) in the Minnesota Theatre Garage as part of the Minnesota Fringe Festival.
The Culture Buzz has been reviewing, critiquing, interviewing and otherwise sharing Iowa’s arts, culture, theater, history, literature, music, entertainment and more since 2007. Founder John Busbee, engaged in Iowa’s arts scene as artist and advocate for more than 30 years, and recipient of the 2014 Iowa Governor’s Arts Award for Collaboration & Partnership in the Arts, The Culture Buzz continues to serve as a gateway to the arts, encouraging listeners and readers to become Cultural Adventurers in the bountiful creative landscape Iowa offers.
Under a company name so new that it still has that “new creativity smell,” two long-time artistic collaborators have joined forces as One Giraffe in a memorable, moving theatrical experience, “Are You There, George?” This is an irresistible piece, a one-woman tour de force guided by an equally gifted and intuitive director. Such a one-two theatrical punch should be savored whenever possible – this is the kind of performance gift true theatre patrons desire, and comes along only on rare occasions.
Often, the hyperbole of a show’s tag line outshines or misleads the actual production. Not so in this case. This show is billed as “Complete with sacrificial chickens, water bras, and Judaism, “Are You There, George?” promises a comedic and heartfelt look at what it means to be not only twelve, but human.” “George” delectably delivers much more than this promotional promise. The diverse audience responded alike, all laughing, praising and, yes, wiping the occasional tear away. This show proved to be a bonding experience for production team and audience, with even the men attesting to the powerful universal messages contained within. Women in the audience, of course, totally get it! And, all parents quickly connected with the challenges their children endured.
In a series of quickly evolving scenes, Maria Vorhis, as Natalie, completely embodies all of the seismic emotional shifts a 12-year old girl experiences. With Christmas quickly approaching, Natalie copes with the disintegration of her parent’s marriage, her quest for belonging, an ever-shifting spiritual journey, and her core frustration: when will she grow boobs! Vorhis radiates a completely vulnerable, sympathetic Natalie – or, Nat, as the reaction-triggering, off-staged voice of her mother calls her. Her ability to allow such a candid and unfiltered view of Natalie gives Vorhis an immediate bond with the audience, which seems to instantly embrace the situation with a nurturing, protective acceptance. Cleverly crafted monologues coupled with a keen eye for timing and detail from her director, Kaitlyn Busbee, blend into a nicely arcing series of intertwined story lines rocketing to a rewarding, heartfelt conclusion. The script has enough leeway to allow Vorhis’ improvisational gifts to shine when needed, often in response to what a mis-struck match or responses from the audience dictate. Ah, yes, the fire theme – this is a clever device to separate the scenes, and one of many marvelous nuances intertwined throughout the show. Vorhis is limber, her facial expressions and posturing speaking volumes, as she unfolds this current piece of Natalie’s life. Vorhis’ trust in her director elevates her performance, bringing a masterful, memorable flashback for all to recall the specialness of that vulnerable, defining age.
One of the most important, and fulfilling, aspects of this production is when the actress and the director join the audience for a post-production chat. Informative, gratifying and wonderfully interactive, everyone relished this casual opportunity to process what they had just experienced with the show’s creators. They learned that Vorhis started writing her script some time ago, often using Busbee as her sounding board during its development. The natural evolution which led to their actress/director partnership was inevitable, especially after their acceptance in the Minnesota Fringe Festival, and they both realized they had a creative deadline to meet.
The success of their living room and small space performances has encouraged the One Giraffe franchise to consider future such shows, so take heart that you may still be able experience this wondrous performance, and may even be able to host such a show. Now, that’s something to ponder, and a rare treat to share with friends.
In the meantime, consider joining One Giraffe at the Englert Theatre as part of their Englert Intimate Series on Sat. July 12 for one night only in Iowa City (http://www.englerttemp.info/eventDetail.php?ID=138).
They will perform their show five times between Sat. Aug. 2 and Sat. Aug. 9 (http://www.fringefestival.org/2014/show/?id=2756) in the Minnesota Theatre Garage as part of the Minnesota Fringe Festival.
The Culture Buzz has been reviewing, critiquing, interviewing and otherwise sharing Iowa’s arts, culture, theater, history, literature, music, entertainment and more since 2007. Founder John Busbee, engaged in Iowa’s arts scene as artist and advocate for more than 30 years, and recipient of the 2014 Iowa Governor’s Arts Award for Collaboration & Partnership in the Arts, The Culture Buzz continues to serve as a gateway to the arts, encouraging listeners and readers to become Cultural Adventurers in the bountiful creative landscape Iowa offers.