Man, Woman, Dinosaur.
No, it's not the pre-historic prequel to "Eat, Drink, Man, Woman;" it's a new play by Regina Porter, which opened Apr. 4 at Washington DC's Woolly Mammoth Theatre. Scheduled to close Apr. 19, Dinosaur was first extended to Apr. 26 and then again extended to May 3.
In Dinosaur, a young man living with his wheelchair-bound mother meets his match when an attractive but abusive housekeeper arrives. Artistic Director Harold Shalwitz directs the piece, which he describes as "textured and specific, involving some very quirky characters on Skidaway Island outside Savannah, and yet it deals with universal themes about parents, children, sex and love, pushing them toward mythic heights."
Director Shalwitz founded Woolly Mammoth 18 years ago and has also worked at such venues as Seattle's ACT (The Big Slam) and Milwaukee Rep (Desdemona). Dinosaur first came to fruition via Woolly Mammoth's ForePlay play development series.
Starring in the world premiere of Man, Woman, Dinosaur are Rebecca Rice, Kevin Jiggets, Vincent Brown, Caroline Clay and 11-year-old Daniel Lee Robertson III. Man, Woman, Dinosaur is by Regina Porter,the African-American author of Tripping Through The Car House.
For tickets ($15-$28) and information on Man, Woman, Dinosaur, which runs to Apr. 19 at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre on Church Street NW, call (202) 393-3939.
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In other Woolly Mammoth news, you don't have to go all the way to Illinois to see middle-America in Peoria, just head over to the theatre, Apr. 14-May 12, to catch Jon Klein's satirical comedy.
Rick is fed up with his job as a chicken inspector; Jane has just been laid off as the tour guide of Peoria's only water tower. What's a small-town family to do?
Directed by Rick Fiori, Peoria stars Michael Russotto and Rena Cherry Brown. Designing the show are Holly Beck (set), Linda Evans (lighting) and Edu Bernadino (costumes).
Klein's previous works include T Bone and Weasel, Octopus and Betty The Yeti. Woolly Mammoth artistic director Howard Shalwitz says of the dramatist, "Jon Klein is one of America's most talented playwrights, and Peoria represents the most daring and original side of his work."
For tickets ($15-$28) and information on Man, Woman, Dinosaur and Peoria, at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre on Church Street NW, call (202) 393-3939.
-- By David Lefkowitz
