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76 T H E A U S T I N C H R O N I C L E AUGUST 29, 2008 a u s t i n c h r o n i c l e . c o m CALENDAR ( COMMUNITY SPORTS ARTS FILM MUSIC ) LISTINGS Aggressive Muse’s debut production, The Positively Serene Death of Sir Ritter Hans Von Wittenstein Zu Wittenstein – Ritter Hans, for short – needs almost none. After nearly three hours and two intermissions, the audience will learn that there is nothing particularly serene about the death of Ritter Hans. A vision statement at the back of the program describes the company’s view that theatre has grown overly complex and full of strife. Aggressive Muse intends to “revive the great bardic tradition of simple, imaginative storytelling” and help audiences and artists rediscover imagination. Using a vision statement to describe what is lacking in the work of your peers and what you will consequently provide is bold. And it sets you up for a big old slapstick fall. Ritter Hans is an adaptation of Jean Giraudoux’s Ondine and is in essence a simple story: Two women love one man. However, in the hands of Aggressive Muse, the story fails to remain simple. Authors Josie Collier (who also directed) and Kate Meehan devised a script riddled with sub- plots, hurried exposition, and cumbersome devices. By the second hour, the story is bloated and confused. By the third hour, dead characters are coming back to life, and the end is nowhere in sight. A reflection of this show’s failure can be seen in the visual landscape. The sets and costumes are mindless. Some characters look to be at a high school prom, others in a Restoration comedy, others in a Tarantino film. Several actors have their faces obscured by costume elements. The paint- ings hanging in the palace seem to have been pulled from a motel or an elementary school art class. Ritter Hans has three movement directors, a fight choreographer, and not one moment of precision. Nothing is built on ground that can support tension or conflict or focus. The actors are work- ing so damn hard to demonstrate their fury and passion that there is no room left for the audience to feel anything. A few actors, most notably Lindsey Reeves, Tamara Jolaine, and Abby Jones, seem capable of more than this production and its misdirection allows them. As for the “rock musi- cal” element promised in the marketing materials, it’s more like rock karaoke: The few songs are sung over the strains of a canned electric guitar. Though some are enjoyable – the show comes closest to real emo- tion when the court is singing “All Is Well” to its sickly queen – none of them advances the plot, a plot in desperate need of forward motion. The most interesting thing to hap- pen onstage at the performance I saw was the use of an actual gutted fish. One actor was slapping another actor with it. The thing got loose and hit an audience member. Gross. Hilarious. Unfortunately, the prop was for an entirely unnecessary sub- plot about Ondine’s love of a trout. A love that lasts for that one scene and matters not a bit to the rest of the play. Such is the case for so many of the inconsequential, negligible story elements. The second intermission hit at 10:15pm. Late into Act III, Ondine is rehashing the same argument she has been having with Ritter Hans for the last three hours. She screams: “Not again! Not again!” I couldn’t agree with her more. It seems in this case, the muse was aggressive about quantity, not quality. But Ritter Hans is Josie Collier’s third attempt at staging the story of Ondine, and in the words of Samuel Beckett: “Fail again. Fail better.” No one could argue that she didn’t aim high. – Hannah Kenah dance AUSTIN METAMORPHOSIS DANCE ENSEMBLE: AUDITIONS AMDE will be holding auditions for the 2008-2009 season and seeks versatile dancers with strong ballet backgrounds to fill positions at all levels of the company, including AMDE II junior dancers, AMDE II dancers, AMDE apprentices, and AMDE company members. Performance experience preferred but not required. Bring a résumé. Sat., Aug. 30, 10:30am. Metamorphosis Dance Academy, 900 Round Rock Ave. #220, Round Rock. www.amde.org. TWO LEFT FEET EGYPTIAN BELLY-DANCE CLASSES BY DRAKON Beginners to advanced dancers up and down the I-35 corridor have a chance to learn from one of Austin’s favorite belly dancers. Intermediate to advanced: Mondays, 7-8:30pm. Platinum Gymnastics Academy, 1410 Royston, Round Rock. Beginning to intermedi- ate: Wednesdays, 6:30-8pm. Kidsport Gymnastics, 2522-C Shell Rd., Georgetown. All levels: Saturdays, 10-11:30am. Dance Unlimited, 1019 Main, Buda, 512/295-2036. $13 per class. www.desertpassion.com. MODERN DANCE CLASSES Ellen Bartel of Spank Dance Company leads a series of classes in modern dance (all levels). Times and prices vary. See the website for details. Tapestry Dance Company studios, 2302 Western Trails. www.tapestry.org. DANCE INTERNATIONAL Each night features a vari- ety of ballroom and Latin dances; each month sees the start of a new, progressive course. No partner necessary. Sundays, 6-8pm. Dancers Workshop, 183 & Balcones Woods. Weeknights, times vary. Hills Fitness Center, 4615 Bee Caves Rd., 32-DANCE. Fees vary. www.dancein.org. LUCILA DANCE PRODUCTIONS: CLASSES FORMING Classes are forming now in belly dancing (all levels), flamenco, salsa/merengue, hip-hop, creative move- ment for ages 5-10, and tai chi. Lucila Dance Studio, 1700 S. Lamar, 416-8800. www.luciladance.com. ADVANCED BALLET CLASS FOR AGES 13 AND OLDER Ten-year Tapestry resident Stacie Stalmach brings more than 15 years of teaching and perfor- mance experience to the class. Mondays, 6-7:30pm. Tapestry Dance Company, 2302 Western Trails, 474-9864. $16 walk-in fee, discounts available for stu- dents, professionals. www.tapestry.org. FLAMENCO CLASSES For beginners and interme- diate dancers. Beginner: Mondays, 7:30-8:30pm. Intermediate: Thursdays, 7:30-8:30pm. Joyce Willett School of Dance, 5811 Berkman. $14 each class. BELLY-DANCE CLASSES WITH TWYLA GRACE Twyla of Twyla & the Twilight Star Ensemble teaches ongoing classes in belly dance. Call or write for details. Mon. & Wed., 8:30-9:30pm, 12687 Research at Oak Knoll, 971-0188. www.twylabellydance.com. AUSTIN BALLROOM DANCERS ABD sponsors ballroom dancing with DJed music weekly, year- round. Saturdays, 8-11pm; minilesson, 7:30pm. Austin Uptown Dance, 8868 Research, 989-3939. www.austinballroomdancers.org. YOGA FOR DANCERS Erica Santiago teaches a yoga class aimed at the dancers and other artists, help- ing free mind, body, and spirit for the creative set. Tuesdays 6:30-8pm. Tapestry Dance Company, 2302 Western Trails, 474-9864. www.tapestry.org. SCOTTISH BALLROOM DANCING Learn the ball- room dances of Scotland: lively jigs and reels and elegant strathspeys; no partner needed, but couples welcome. Thursdays, 7-8:30pm. Quicksilver Dance Center, 8711 Burnet Rd. Ste. H-100, 327-2869. First class free. CONTACT IMPROVISATION DANCE JAMS Participants move in and out of contact with one or more people through a common center of gravity. All are welcome. Tuesdays, 8-10pm; Sundays, 4:30-6pm. Austin Yoga School, 1122-C S. Lamar. $5. ESQUINATANGO Argentine Tango Workshop Masters Oliver Kolker and Silvina Valz lead special classes and all-day workshops over the Labor Day weekend. Plus, there’s Friday’s happy-hour milonga. No part- ner needed; all levels welcome. Aug. 28-31, times vary. Youth Social Dance Program Open House EsquinaTango opens its doors to preview its new youth social dance program for the fall. Tango, Tejano, swing, salsa, and more are offered in upcoming six- week sessions. Enjoy demonstrations, sample refresh- The Positively Serene Death of Sir Ritter Hans Von Wittenstein Zu Wittenstein Blue Theater, through Sept. 6 Running time: 2 hr, 50 min There is a trend with new plays that goes something like this: 90 minutes, no intermission. There is room for longer works, but you better need every second. COLDTOWNE THEATER 4803 Airport, 524-2807. www.coldtowne.com. Improv Out the Wazoo The Out of Bounds Festival is bringing a metric assload of hot talents here from all across the country, and of course ColdTowne’s gonna capitalize on that windfall. Thus: Super Punchline features stand-up comedy from the likes of John Loftin (North Carolina), Melissa Bowler (Rhode Island), and Austin homeboys Lance Gilstrap and Bryan Guttman. Fri., 9pm. Super Punchline II boasts Jamie Lee (New York City) and Austin’s Chris Trew, Kerri Lendo, and Ramen Nazar. Fri., 10pm. Stool Pigeon Deluxe features VH1’s Jamie Lee sparking the fires of an improv supergroup anchored by ColdTowne’s Chris Trew and Justin York. Fri., 11pm. Super Punchline III features stand-up comedy from the likes of John Loftin (North Carolina) and Austin homeboys Albert Im, Jake Flores, and Nick Ramirez. Jake Flores? Wooo, there’s the price of admission, right there! Sat., 9pm. Super Punchline IV boasts Ken Barnard (Chicago) and Austin’s Chuck Watkins and Jonathan Pace. Sat., 10pm. Stool Pigeon Deluxe II features a cast including Bill Binder (Phoenix), Cody Dearing (Chicago), and Austinites Asaf Ronen and Nick Ramirez. Sat., 11pm. ESTHER’S POOL 525 E. Sixth, 320-0553. www.esthersfollies.com. Esther’s Follies: World Gone Wild The most popular troupe in town returns with its riotous musical send-ups of local and national politics and cultural phenomena, making already hot topics burn with a bright comic intensity, with the incredible and – ai! ai! ai! – spicy illusions of master magician Ray Anderson. Thrills! Chills! Ripped-from-the-headlines events turned into com- edy gold! Reservations highly recommended. Thu.- Fri, 8pm; Sat., 8 & 10pm. $20 (discounts available Thursdays & Fridays for seniors, students, military). Additional $5 for special reserved seats. THE HIDEOUT THEATRE 617 Congress, 443-3688. www.hideouttheatre.com. Friday: It’s Threefer Madness time, in which three troupes – this week: Parallelogramophonograph, Venn Diaphragm, and Mr. Rather – battle for improv supremacy. 8pm. $10. Then you’ve got the Double Barrel show, with Starter Kit and Quatro Gringos. 10pm. $10. Saturday: Mothers of Invention One woman, five characters, hallucinogenic potato chips. Yes, it’s Laura Poe! 8pm. $10. Maestro is a fierce, multi- partite battle for supremacy among improvisers, scored by you, the audience. Highly recommended. 10pm. $10. VELVEETA ROOM 521 E. Sixth, 469-9116. www.thevelveetaroom.com. John Ramsey Austin comedy’s favorite legal eagle flies his gags higher than Bob Marley’s kite. This former Funniest Person in Austin has Barrett Goldsmith and Albert Im opening for him, too. Fri.- Sat., Aug. 29-30, 9:30 & 11:30pm. $5. Open Mic Night These are your would-be come- dic neighbors, three minutes at a time: Love them; fear them. This week’s host is: Albert Im. Thursdays, 10pm. BUT WAIT – THERE’S MORE! KICK BUTT COMEDY There’s humor aplenty to be had where the beverages and snacks are always good, here in Gohring-sensei’s martial-arts-inflected java joint. Monday Night Mash: Improv Mondays, 8pm. Open Mic Comedy Wednesdays, 8pm. Kick Butt Coffee, 5775 Airport #725, 454-5425. LAST GAS COMEDY Stand-up comedy every Saturday. Sat., Aug. 30, 9pm. Homer’s Bar & Grill, 1779 Wells Branch Pkwy. #114. Free. www.lastgascomedy.com. THE AUSTIN COMEDY TRAINWRECK features the best comics in Austin, so they say – right there in the Hole, on the Drag, deep in the heart of collegiate Texas. Tuesdays, 10pm. Hole in the Wall, 2538 Guadalupe, 477-4747. $5. www.myspace.com/austincomedytrainwreck. PAULA POUNDSTONE Never mind the usual listing- wise rambling – this woman needs no introduction. She’s here in Austin for one night only, she’ll rock the house with laughter, and proceeds from sales of her new book will be donated to Friends of the Austin Public Library. (And you could also, if you were ever so posh, make reservations to enjoy the Whole Foods-catered dinner that’s available before the show.) (See “Paula Poundstone,” p.35, for more.) Fri., Aug. 29, 7 & 9:30pm. One World Theatre, 7701 Bee Caves Rd., 330-9500 x101. www.oneworldtheatre.org.
