Review: ATROCITIES OF THE ABSTRACT is One Great, Weird Time

A new form of theatre has come to the Old Pueblo: the Red Theater Tucson - the fifth branch of the larger Red Theater Collective, which began in 2008 after the banishment from the University of Nebraska for performing controversial works. The philosophy of Red Theater focuses on theatricality, metaphor, and human connection, expressed by futurist and existential perspectives; the goal is to provide an unique, intellectually stimulating theatrical experience to the Tucson community.

And Friday night, Red Theater Tucson did just that.

Atrocities of the Abstract, which ran only one night (April 22nd, 2016) at the Unscrewed Theater, tells 23 plays within an hour, the order of which is determined by the audience themselves (all plays are original works created by the cast performing). An interactive "menu" of sorts is given to audience members and it is up to them to determine how the evening will progress. A row of numbers hung across the stage, waiting, as the cast would yell "SCENE," prompting the audience to shout the next play. The theory being that no two performances would be the same, if there were to have been another performance.

It was an hour that passed incredibly quick, as the cast of six actors (Marissa Boyle, Jackie Mendenhall, David Villareal, Izzy Tinsley, Thaxton Smith, and Richard Alberton) quickly transition through scenes of comedy, tragedy, and political/social stances. It was an hour that will make you laugh, bring you to tears, force you think, and make you ask questions.

All this, as I'll state once again, in just sixty minutes. In just sixty minutes, this passionate cast showcased a range of emotion and skill in their storytelling abilities. This production, at the Unscrewed Theater, was a labor of love.

If you are interested in support Red Theater Tucson, you can make a donation to their GoFundMe page. If you are also interested in future productions, do yourself a favor, and like their Facebook page.