Chicago - September 07, 2007

Role with It

“Eat the Runt” Opens

Your thespian friends can’t see a show without intense post-production critique — this guy should’ve played that guy, the script was all fercocked — turning your low key, arty evening into a night at the soapbox (starring IKnowitall and NoIdo).

They’ll eat their words at Eat the Runt, a new show premiering Sunday, where the audience plays director for the day.

Eight actors memorize all eight parts of the script and audition for the audience, which then casts the roles using electronic voting gizmos. There are more than 40,320 possibilities, ensuring that no two performances will be alike.

The play is scripted, and no pronouns are used so the actors can play any character regardless of age, race, or sex.

In addition to wetting your pants with laughter, you’ll be moved to consider how gender and racial issues control how we relate to each other and how we look at ourselves.

Sounds like a step in the right direction. 

Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, 777 North Green Street, at Chicago Avenue (312-733-6000 or eattherunt.com). Performances are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 & 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m.

  Film Buff