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If you’ve ever thought about seeing the world through novel and different eyes, then DISPOSABLE NECESSITIES is for you. Skillfully crafted by playwright Neil McGowan, DISPOSABLE NECESSITIES takes us into a future where just about anything is possible – providing, of course, than you can afford it. Tired of being a man – or a woman, for that matter? Wondering what it would be like to be another race? What if chronic illness was a thing of the past? Can you conceive of living forever? Cleverly directed by Guillermo Cienfuegos, DISPOSABLE NECESSITIES probes all of these questions – and more – while keeping us chuckling.
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Life is losing some of its glow for Daniel Totten (Darrett Sanders), and that’s saying something for a man who’s lived more than one iteration. For, in this future, it has become possible to download the digitized soul into another host body – over and over again. Of course, the family has taken on some intriguing changes since Daniel’s wife Alice (Billy Flynn) decided to download into a male body. But, of course, love conquers all – or does it? His son Chadwick (Jefferson Reid) is now hip-hopping in an African-American “module,” and his best friend Phillip Fain (Claire Blackwelder) is trying something new as a kittenish sensual female. When Daniel’s impossibly old-fashioned daughter Dee (Ann Noble) shows up with the news that she’s dying – and refuses to download – things are sure to take a quick left turn.
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Brilliantly melding over-the-top humor and the darkest of comedy with some very serious undertones, McGowan’s tale is hugely entertaining – but also highly thought-provoking. Is this a future we want – or need? The question it asks – suppose you can have anything you want…forever – may not have a clear answer. Between laughing at a hilarious set of circumstances, the audience is subtly asked to take a peek at greed, the value of life, and the meaning of death.
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David Mauer’s scenic design manages to project both future and past, with Christopher Moscatiello’s sound and Matt Richter’s lighting adding the right spark. The entire production team does a creditable job of creating a “Brave New World” for its characters. But make no mistake: it is the cunning introduction of this fascinating new world which keeps the audience focused. For better or worse, it doesn’t take too much imagination to see that our twenty-first century digital age could easily go in author McGowan’s direction. Science fiction buffs will love this comic tale – but it will also appeal to people who love to uncover layers of meaning – and who want to be entertained while doing it.
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DISPOSABLE NECESSITIES runs through February 3, 2020 with performances in 2019 at 3 p.m. on Sunday 12/15, at 8 p.m. on Monday 12/16, at 7 p.m. on Sunday 12/29, and 8 p.m. on Monday 12/30 (no performances on 12/20 to 12/28). Performances in 2020 are at 8 p.m. on Saturday 1/4, at 7 p.m. on Sunday 1/5, at 8 p.m. on Monday 1/6, with performances continuing at 5 p.m. on Saturdays, at 7 p.m. on Sundays, and at 8 p.m. on Mondays (no performance on Monday 1/13). The Rogue Machine performs at the Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Avenue, Venice, CA 90291. Tickets are $40 (students $25). For information and reservations, call 855-585-5185 or go online.
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