All the gurus, like everybody, everybody, all of ‘em, all like: “Stay in the present. Here is now. Now is now. Now is wow. Now is you, babe. Be now.”
Beyond the self-help books that make us swallow sad wallow, I think the most effective slap of “Now” is comedy. Even when it isn’t improvised, or unfurling completely in the moment, it is. Because, even with a script prepared, the comedian allows the moment to shift, ebb, flow.
The comedian in this case is Chris Anger, who is the artistic director of The Louisville Improvisors and has performed improvisation for more than 20 years. Anger believes in the moment, the unforced laugh. It cues and guides him.
Anger will present “Jim Thorpe -- All American,” a stand-up routine which punches freedom, addiction, and wardrobe choices, as part of the Slant Culture Theatre Festival. The story is a continuation of last year’s Slant performance “Dead Astronauts,” and is written/performed by Anger, directed by Alec Volz.
Remaining performances are Nov. 20 at 9:30pm and Nov. 23 at 5:30pm at Walden Theatre (1123 Payne St.). Tickets are $12 a pop.
Come one, come all, fools. Let’s fa-la-la-la-ha-ha-ha.
Photo credit: Chris Anger
