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New York Fringe's Wax & Wayne Riffs on Pygmalion Myth, Through Aug. 18
By Robert Simonson
14 Aug 2003
Scaffolding, pulleys, vats of cold water and hot wax and several statue-ready pedestals make up part of the set of Wax & Wayne, one of the most peculiar offerings at the year's New York International Fringe Festival.
The show, which plays in the basement of Greenwich Village's Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church, is the work of Chicago's Local Infinities Visual Theatre, which endeavors to "inhabit the space between art and theatre." The troupe was founded in 1996 by Meghan Strell (who performs in Wax) and Charlie Levin (who conceived Wax with Strell and Larry Underwood).
Underwood is Wayne, a dithering, vaguely German scientist who experiments with wax. White paraffin is constantly boiling in his lab, where he has painstakingly creating a statue of a woman. Roles are eventually reversed, however, when the figure slowly comes to life and assumes human characteristics. At various moments the work directly and indirectly evokes the Pygmalion myth.
Strell plays the statue and begins the performance covered completely in wax. Underwood, meanwhile, ends to show with wax slowing hardening around his body. A third performer, Tom Howe, provides musical accompaniment, playing such homemade instruments as a cross-cut saw and a detached bicycle wheel. John Musial directs.
The production incorporates 200 pounds of candle wax.
For tickets, call (212) 279-4488 or consult www.FringeNYC.org.
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