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Archives for April 2012

DOMK (P)reviews in the Press

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Anne Evans wrote about her experience with the play for The Columbus Underground. Here’s a sample:

The pace of the play throws lots of heavy themes out to the audience without necessarily explaining them right away. It doesn’t really need to – for me, it was the discussion that happened once the play was over that made the experience well worth it… Go see the play with friends and give yourselves something to discuss for hours!

Read it all here.

Heather Gross of The Columbus Alive previewed our new show and spoke with director Matt Slaybaugh. Read it here.

And over at the Columbus Dispatch, Michael Grossberg talked to several cast members, and may have coined a new term – “Disney-topian.” Read his piece here.

Google helps AVLT explain HUDs for the DOMK crowd

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In the original Down & Out in the Magic Kingdom novel, Cory Doctorow saw the future in a huge number of ways. Some of the most compelling moments involve characters interacting with their heads-up-displays, or HUDs. It’s something we’ve taken great pains to replicate on-stage, and it will be a lot of fun to bring to life.

Along the way, though, we’ve needed to explain the concept to a lot of people. Luckily, Google showed-up with this video which makes it a lot more clear. Check it out, then see our version in Down & Out in the Magic Kingdom, starting April 26.

Right Now Readings: AVLT presents The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs by Mike Daisey – April 17

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“What is true? What is false? What is, finally, important? It is not a sign of ignorance not to know the answers. But there is great merit in facing the questions.”
– David Mamet, True and False, Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor

Tuesday, April 17 – 7:30pm at:
The OSU Urban Arts Space
50 West Town St., Columbus OH 43215

THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY OF STEVE JOBS
Written and originally performed by Mike Daisey
Directed by Matt Slaybaugh
Featuring John Dranschak, Tim Fulton, Matt Hermes, Shanelle Marie, Jennifer Schlueter, Matt Slaybaugh, and Pam Welsh-Huggins.

AVLT brings you the most powerful and controversial play of the decade.

On January 6, 2012, after over 200 performances in 18 cities over 19 months, playwright and solo performer Mike Daisey appeared on This American Life to perform excerpts from his monumental solo show about Steve Jobs and Apple. Two months later, in an almost unbelievable turn of events, This American Life aired a retraction of their episode featuring Mike Daisey, stating –

We’ve discovered that one of our most popular episodes contained numerous fabrications. This week, we detail the errors in Mike Daisey’s story about visiting Foxconn, which makes iPads and other products for Apple in China. Marketplace’s China correspondent Rob Schmitz discovered the fabrications.

Over the next week, the internet pretty much exploded, as pundits, journalists, bloggers, and theatre artists fell all over themselves trying to condemn, defend, or question Mike and his work.
(READ MORE ABOUT THE CONTROVERSY.)

We’ll present the work in its complete and unaltered form on April 17. The reading will be followed by a talkback. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? We’ll try to figure it out.

ABOUT THE PLAY:
Mike Daisey turns his razor-sharp wit to America’s most mysterious technology icon in this hilarious and harrowing tale of pride, beauty, lust, and industrial design. He illuminates how the former CEO of Apple and his obsessions shape our lives, while following the trail all the way to China to investigate the factories where millions toil to make iPhones and iPods. Daisey’s dangerous journey shines a light on our love affair with our devices and the human cost of creating them.

“I will never be the same after seeing that show.”
– Steve Wozniak, Apple co-founder, to the New York Times

“Mike Daisey, in addition to providing us with a riveting, hilarious, but ultimately gut-wrenching piece of theater, may actually end up being singularly responsible for bringing Goliath to its knees.”
– Michael Moore, Academy Award-winning Filmmaker

Admission is FREE to these casual readings of some the hottest plays on the planet. Join us on the last Tuesday of each month for cookies, coffee, and conversation.

The Right Now Readings will be at:
The OSU Urban Arts Space
50 West Town St., Columbus OH 43215