Prodigious Songcraft Blooms in Sarah Jarosz - The Austin Chronicle

artslistingsSurfin’ UFOotherworldly wonder and weirdness.As before, Jewell, an old-school spokenwordtalent who started out back in theyears before poetry was slammed, regalesthe crowd with his musings on things cosmicand his “Gidget Goes Galactic” narrativeof the interdimensional romance betweenSurf Boy and Space Girl.“Regales,” did we say? Fairly croons, attimes, between more staccato stretches ofstory, like some resurrected beatnik fromthe Fifties laying down the vibe in a bongofilledcoffeehouse.There are no bongos, per se, in Surfin’ UFO– although, if there were, they’d more likely beplayed by the ghost of Erich von Däniken thanby that of the famously bongo-happy physicistRichard Feynman. No, there’s an entire drumkit here, lashed into with deep skills and ferociousintensity by Rachel Fuhrer, laying thegroundwork for the prog-rock keyboards ofChad Salvata and Sergio Samayoa’s badassbass guitar. No coffeehouse vibe beyond thefrontman in this show, fellow space traveler:Is this what it would sound like if Hawkwindhad been Laurie Anderson’s backup band?Close enough for astrophysics.The Vortex, 2307 Manor Rd.,478-5282, www.electronicplanetensemble.comThrough Jan. 24Running time: 1 hrDavid Jewell and the Electronic Planet Ensemble, who gaveus their Spaceman:Dada:Robot last year, return in this firstmonth of the new decade with another sonic exploration ofIf you like tales of wacky sci-fi romance, surfmovies, and the compelling mysteries of cropcircles; if you like the feeling of having discovereda gem of beat-driven space-arena musichidden in the midst of the theatre community;if you can groove to the stylings of a cat in ajumpsuit who might remind you of your eccentricUncle Dave who has that Fortean Societymembership, except that your uncle never hadthe funky moves and vocal finesse this manJewell has; if so, then you’ll love this the wayJohn Carter loved Dejah Thoris.Personally, we’d like to see some longerbreaks between songs, with simply spokenmatter that’s more than brief and interstitial,to mix things up a bit. And, musicwise, solosfrom each of those amazing instrumentalists.But maybe that’s something for the next EPEshow? Maybe that, like 2012, is drawing inexorablycloser. For now, there’s this door intoa solid evening of spoken-word space rockinside the Vortex’s comfortable warehousevenue. And the Anunnaki, those ancient astronautswho genetically engineered the humanrace into what we are today, are knock-knockknockingat that door. You should join them,space-budget allowing. – Wayne Alan Brenner56 T H E A U S T I N C H R O N I C L E JANUARY 15, 2010 a u s t i n c h r o n i c l e . c o mtheatreOPENINGCOCO PERU TAKES ON TEXAS The much-laudeddrag queen from NYC gets her cowgrrl on, so tospeak, in this evening of sassy songs, amusing anecdotes,and autobiographical stories. Thu., Jan. 14,8-10pm. Rusty Spurs, 403 E. Seventh. $30 ($25, inadvance). www.cocoperutakesontexas.com.LA FENICE: SUITORS AND TUTORS The AustinCommedia Society, known for its enthusiasticmodern interpretation of the influential style ofcommedia dell’arte, has been reborn (with four ofthe original members) as La Fenice, and here’s thetroupe’s first production: an original scenario directedby Dr. Gian Giacomo Colli and featuring live music byDoryan Rice of the Barebones Orchestra. (For more onthe troupe, see “La Fenice,” p.27.) Fri.-Sat., Jan. 15-30,8pm. Club de Ville, 900 Red River, 539-0358. $5-15.www.lafeniceaustin.org.A BURLESQUE TRIBUTE TO BETTIE PAGE Austin’sown Jigglewatts host an evening of live burlesquewith ecdysiast performers from across Texas andclips from Bettie Page’s 1955 film Teaserama. Ohmy gars and starters! Fri., Jan. 15, 7:30pm. AlamoDrafthouse Lake Creek, 13729 Research, 219-5408.$10. www.drafthouse.com.ABUELITA DE BATMAN ProyectoTeatro, Austin’sonly all-Spanish theatre company, presents thisdark-humored Alejandro Licona play with Englishsur-titles. Jan. 15-24. Fri.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2pm.Boyd Vance Theatre at the Carver Museum,1165 Angelina, 374-4994. $10-12.www.proyectoteatro.com.ENDGAME Samuel Beckett’s one-act about family,servitude, love, and inevitable decay is the inauguralproduction from Palindrome Theatre, directedby Kate Eminger. Jan. 15-31. Wed.-Sat., 8pm; Sun.,5pm. Austin Playhouse, 3601 S. Congress, Bldg. C,786-1939. $20 ($15, students).www.austinplayhouse.com.CHURCH OF THE FRIENDLY GHOST: SPOONRIVER ANTHOLOGY Here’s a strange, multitextured,and thoroughly sonic interpretation of theEdgar Lee Masters classic, created by those edgerlymasters of the music avant-garde. Come and goas you please all night long, escorted through thecemetery by the ghostly groundskeeper. Fri., Jan. 15,6-10pm. Salvage Vanguard Theater, 2803 Manor Rd.,474-7886. $5. www.salvagevanguard.org.LE SEXY The comic cabaret duo brings its delightfulchanteusery to the new, improved Monarch.Perfect date night – especially after attending someart opening earlier in the evening (see our VisualArts listings). Word to the wise and romantic. Sat.,Jan. 16, 9pm. Monarch Event Center, 6406 N. I-35#3100, 371-1711. $8. www.themonarchtexas.com.CLOSINGTHE COLOR PURPLE This “soul-stirring” musicalspectacular, brought to Austin by Texas PerformingArts, is based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer-winningnovel and Steven Spielberg’s film and is presentedunder the aegis of Oprah Winfrey. Better firepowerthan that, a production doesn’t need. Through Jan.17. Thu.-Fri., 8pm; Sat., 2 & 8pm; Sun., 2 & 7:30pm.Bass Concert Hall, 23rd Street & Robert DedmanDrive, UT campus, 471-1444. $20-69. www.utpac.org.ONGOINGNUNSENSE II Up in Georgetown, the PalaceTheatre’s cast of 2007’s Nunsense returns inthis habit-kicking sequel penned by Dan Goggins.Directed by Ron Watson. Through Feb. 7. Fri.-Sat.,7:30pm; Sun., 2pm. Georgetown Palace Theatre,810 S. Austin Ave., 512/869-7469. $22 ($20,seniors; $12, students, military; $8, ages 15 andyounger). www.georgetownpalace.com.OEDIPUS REX Japhy Fernandes and his irrepressibleAustin Drama Club present this classic Greektragedy, directed by Erin Jo. As ever, e-mail for locationand details. Through Jan. 30. Thu.-Sat., 8pm.japhyfernandes@live.com.EURYDICE This is Sarah Ruhl’s acclaimed adaptationof the Orpheus myth as a modern dramaticcomedy, brought to the lighted boards bythe Different Stages company under the directionof Karen Jambon. Lord of the underworld? Check.Chorus of stones? Good to go. Timeless love story?But of course! Through Jan. 30. Thu.-Sat., 8pm;Sun., 2pm. City Theatre, 3823-D Airport, 474-8497.$15-30. www.citytheatreaustin.org.FronteraFest 2010The 17th annual festival of theatre is under way at(of course) Hyde Park Theatre, with the ShortFringe schedule of five short shows per nightbefore branching off into other avenues and largerswaths of performance throughout the month ofJanuary. Check the Hyde Park website for newsand details, yes, but also see here for this week’sentertainments:Thu., Jan. 14, 8pm: Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruizby Belinda Acosta; Donkeyskins by Georgia Young;Where Am I? by Kate Cleary; Incantations by PhilipKreyche; John Brown from BOB by Stuart Hersh.Fri., Jan. 15, 8pm: And I Said by Mike Henry;The Mommy Confessions: An Excerpt by RhondaKulhanek; Alcoholic Drama by Tommy LeVrier;Cardigan by Trey Deason.Sat., Jan. 16, 8pm: Best of WeekTue., Jan. 19, 8pm: Kitsune Parade by Ellen Stader;The Bitter Poet’s Looking for Love in All the WrongCafes, Strip Clubs and Black Box PerformanceSpaces by Kevin Draine; Improva-Go-Go by MidnightSociety; Growth by Danny Strack; The Punchline byAlex Berry.Wed., Jan. 20, 8pm: Working Title by BlacklistedIndividuals; I’m Not a Writer, But I Got a Story toTell by La Tasha Stephens; Love Puzzle by MarcellaGarcia & Jonathan Blackwell; Consultant for Hire byMax Langert.Thu., Jan. 21, 8pm: I’ve Got You Under My Skin byKate Motzenbacker; H by Kristen Kosmas, performedby Steve Moore; Stoners and Self-Appointed Saintsby Annie La Ganga; Circled in Red by Aslan Hollier;T – by Cindy Vining; Single Being by Tom Truss.Hyde Park Theatre, 511 W. 43rd, 479-PLAY.www.hydeparktheatre.com.SURFIN’ UFO The Electronic Planet Ensemble, whobrought you last season’s Spaceman:Dada:Robot,presents this latest video-enhanced, live-music spectacle,with Sergio Samayoa on guitar, Chad Salvataon keyboards, Rachel Fuhrer on drums, and DavidJewell, providing the verbal volleys about the gnarlierside of Planet X, 2012, crop circles, Roswell, ancientastronauts, UFO sightings, and alien abductions.“The Anunnaki are knocking at your door, and oneof them looks just like Brigitte Bardot.” Bonus: UFOmail-art show in the lobby. See review, left. ThroughJan. 24. Thu.-Sun., 8pm. The Vortex, 2307 Manor Rd.,478-5282. $10-30. www.electronicplanetensemble.com.AUDITIONSB-SIDES FROM THE A-LIST The ACC drama departmentis producing a show of short plays from theTheatre of the Absurd – Ionesco! Beckett! Albee!Pinter! – for April, and they need performers. E-mailfor details and appointment. Thu., Jan. 28, 6-9pm.ACC Mainstage Theatre, 1212 Rio Grande.aadair@austincc.edu.SLEEPING BEAUTY Vortex Repertory Companyneeds an actor to play the King in this musical fairytale by Bonnie Cullum and Content Love Knowles,based on the Brothers Grimm story, for a run in Apriland May. Seeking: male (age 30-50), strong voice,good singer and actor, strong and charismatic presence,team player. Stipend: $250. Call for appointment.Sat., Jan. 16. The Vortex, 2307 Manor Rd.,478-5282. www.vortexrep.org.SUBMISSION INFORMATION:The Austin Chronicle is published every Thursday. Infois due the Monday of the week prior to the issue date. Thedeadline for the Jan. 29 issue is Monday, Jan. 18. Includename of event, date, time, location, price, phone number(s),a description, and any available photos orartwork. Include SASE for return of materials.Send submissions to the attention of the appropriate writer(see roster below). Mail to the Chronicle, PO Box 49066,Austin, TX 78765; fax, 458-6910; or e-mail:Wayne Alan Brenner, theatre, comedy.brenner@austinchronicle.com.Robi Polgar, performance art, dance, classical.dance-classical@austinchronicle.com.Ric Williams, litera. litera@austinchronicle.com.Benné Rockett, visual arts. art@austinchronicle.com.Questions? Contact Wayne Alan Brenner, Listings editor.brenner@austinchronicle.com.