I’ll be honest. If anyone else was attempting to do this show but Michael Shaeffer, I would have some serious doubts.
But Michael Shaeffer is indeed doing this so… I have to admit I’m extremely curious.
Michael has been mixing sources and genres for years now in his spoken word and solo shows, even before my fellow Fringe blogger, the late great Kate Hoff (may her memory be a blessing) told me, “This guy should be on your list of artists to check out” back in 2008.
The only thing that’s different this time is there’s a whole cast of people around him, and he’s an Elvis impersonator planted in the middle of a David Mamet play (?)
Glengarry Glen Elvis
Description:
Elvis Presley stirs up trouble at an unscrupulous real-estate agency. Jumpsuits jitter and F-bombs fly as a post-Vegas career suddenly involves the temptations of grand theft and a fever for the rock 'n' roll.
Venue - Theatre in the Round (TRP)
Content Warnings - Adult language, Crude humor, Loud Noises
Genre and Content - Comedy, Musical Theater, Literary Adaptation
Ages 16 and Up
The press packet provides this additional detail:
“In a musical that's equal parts homage to David Mamet's stage drama and prequel parody to the cult film Bubba Ho-Tep, guitar man Sebastian Haff (Elvis Presley) stirs up trouble at an unscrupulous real-estate agency. Pressures mount, jumpsuits jitter, and F-bombs fly as holding down a post-Vegas career suddenly involves the temptations of grand theft, fraud, and an unstoppable fever for the rock ‘n’ roll limelight. Come witness the King of Rock 'n' Roll TCB on the ABC - Always. Be. Closing.”
And the More Information tab on their show page offers not only their trailer
But also the following sampler of influences which led to the creation of this Fringey cocktail of content:
“For any potential patron who is on the fence regarding attending our rock 'n' roll fable, here's all you need to know going into the show - a curated set of movie trailers to help you imagine the concoction we've put together. Having seen these movies in their entirety is great, but not required to enjoy the slapstick that awaits you at Theatre in the Round.
Just add equal parts these three trailers:
Glengarry Glen Ross
(blogger note: the 1992 film adaptation of David Mamet’s 1983 Pulitzer Prize-winning play)
Bubba Ho-Tep
(blogger note: the 2002 horror comedy in which Bruce Campbell, of Evil Dead fame, is an aging Elvis impersonator recovering from a broken hip in a nursing home and must team up with Ossie Davis to confront the supernatural monster stalking the halls and patients of the facility)
and 3,000 Miles to Graceland
(blogger note: the 2001 heist film in which Elvis impersonators Kevin Costner and Kurt Russell stage an armed robbery of a Las Vegas casino)
At this point, you’re either cautiously intrigued like I am or…
I mean, be honest, we’ve all seen weirder things at the Fringe, right? It’s not that far out there, all things considered :)
Interested in hearing about other artists I recommend based on past outings in the Fringe? Here's a link to a list of all the coverage of returning favorite artists from past pre-Fringe Top 20 lists of mine that are part of this year's Minnesota Fringe Festival.
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