After directing the sold-out holiday show Beauty and the Beast last semester, Visiting Professor Drew Richardson is bringing his one-man physical comedy, “What the Fool?!?” to Adams State University Theatre for one special performance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9 on the San Luis Valley Bank Main Stage, located in the Theatre Building. Ticket sales will partially benefit Adams State Theatre Scholarships.
Internationally acclaimed, Richardson’s work combines comic mishaps and high-stakes drama. With the absurd logic of a classic cartoon, this show uses film, circus skills, magic, and audience interaction to present the story of a sad and shy office worker who attends the theatre for the very first time—and it changes his life and his hair while he discovers his inner fool.
What makes this play different is that Richardson customizes his script to the University Theatre Building where he will perform. “SLV Federal Bank Main Stage Theatre becomes my costar in this performance,” says Drew. “I use its idiosyncrasies to help tell the story.” Seats, stairs, extensions cords, ladders, tickets, and programs become props that seem to have a life of their own.
The evening begins with a silent movie that follows Richardson’s character, Walt, as he drives to the theatre, parks, buys a ticket, and enters. Then the action becomes live as Walt tries to find his seat. Everything that could go wrong goes worse, and Walt finds himself onstage. And then it gets really foolish.
This production will be the Western U.S. premiere of “What The Fool?!?” The show was originally developed and performed at the Baltimore Theatre Project and at Joe’s Movement Emporium (Mt. Rainier, MD) as part of QuestFest International Festival of Visual Theatre, both supported by grants from Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour (PennPAT) under the auspices of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.
Richardson is best known as the first person in the 21st century to have new silent films shown in major motion pictures theaters. Besides being a silent film star in the wrong century, he has toured his solo shows to art centers, theaters, and festivals nationally and internationally, including the International Comedy Art Festival in China.
Tickets go on sale February 4 and are $10 for general public, $9 for seniors and students, and free to Associated Students and Faculty with current Adams State identification. The Box Office is open from 2:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets may also be reserved by calling 719-587-8499.
