In this week loaded with stage performances (both indoors and out), I started with an old favorite: Marshall University's annual New Works Project.
In the past that event featured a number of new plays and musicals, most unfinished or still be fine-tuned - but this time around it presented the premiere performance of Matthew Earnest's new play, Dead Letter Office.
Completely staged with three professional actors (members of the new group The Lunar Stratagem), the play featured a stark but stunning set and amazing costumes that evoked the Renaissance with some Steampunk mixed in.
The show is unlike anything I've ever soon before - and I loved it!
I almost hate to describe the show at all, because it should be seen and enjoyed as is - but I'll give you the basic set-up.
Set in an unknown place and an unknown time, we meet three odd figures - "Ah" (played by Shawn Parr), "Bay" (played by Nicole Perrone) and "Say" (played by Mark Farr).
Their job is to work in the Dead Letter Office, examining old letters and trying to determine where they should go.
To say more would be to dilute your enjoyment, but what follows is a delightful mix of razor-sharp performances, laughs, readings from actual (and very funny) letters, music, dancing and a bewildering sequence of events. (I should add that the show does include some adult language.)
It's original, unusual and a theatre experience like no other. You'll laugh, you'll be puzzled, and then you'll laugh some more.
If you're looking for a unique theatre experience, this one is not to be missed!
You have two more chances to see the show Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center in the Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre.
Highly recommended!
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