Irish Authors Held Hostage
The Bodega at The Trading Post

Remaining Performances:
Saturday, July 25 @ 11 p.m.
Sunday, July 26 @ 2:15 p.m.

They say: “It’s back! The war on terror takes a hilarious turn as Irish authors from the ages are kidnapped by terrorists of every stripe. Expect no victims in this wicked romp that lampoons beloved writers and hated terrorists, or vice versa.”

Hilary’s take: Perhaps—given this show’s 2003 premiere at the Washington Theater Festival and its 2006 stint at the Warehouse Second Stage—it wouldn’t be fair to the newer, unvetted Fringe acts to hail J.T. Burian Theatricals’ IAHH as the most brilliant (in the ‘cross the pond exclamatory sense) production of 2009’s fest. But in an era held hostage by relics of Dubya’s terror-mongering, “fair” is so last century. Besides, Oscar Wilde (John Morogiello) had me at “I don’t care what you do to me so long as it’s BEAUUUUTIFUL!”

Playwright/actor Morogiello is a comic genius and IAHH the product of his literary sensibilities (okay, nerdiness) and disgusting talent. In less than 90 minutes, Morogiello crystallizes nine of Ireland’s most famous scribblers in caricatures based on astute textual interpretation. Ridiculous though Samuel Beckett or Frank McCourt (both skewered to perfection by Terence Aselford) may be onstage, Morogiello’s subjects are only as absurd as their scripture allows. I really wouldn’t put it past McCourt, author of interminably depressing memoir Angela’s Ashes, to get into a pissing contest with a Somali pirate over whose tortured childhood was indeed more torturous. Sorry Frank, but I think subsisting off half-eaten sandwiches left by documentary film crews beats gobbling garbage and sipping cabbage tea.

Don’t know diddly about James Joyce or Brendan Behan? Unfamiliarity with pub scrawlers is not a huge problem; in the best program I’ve ever read, J. Thaddeus Burian provides a brief, Swiftian rundown of the play’s authors for “the less intelligent members of our audience.” Such patrons may also find enjoyable “International Terrorism: The Game!” located just after the educational bits in the pamphlet. (Hint: The answer is “Power.”)

Sure, the hostage sketch done nine times over may sound like a bore, but Morogiello mixes it up with sub-plots and a recurring tormentor (played gamely by Terence Heffernan). Ninety minutes came and went, and only then did I realize I could hear the music from The Apothecary downstairs in the sweltering Bodega. Nothing else I’ve sampled at Fringe can touch IAHH’s the trifecta of lacerating wit, flawless delivery, and superb performances from the entire cast (Morogiello’s recurring Yeats was a highlight, as was Lori Boyd’s turn as Lady Gregory). You haven’t Fringed until you’ve seen Wilde clutch his chest at the sight of a “dark, rugged” jihadist bent over in prayer.

See it if: You have $15 and you’d love to know what really kept everyone waiting for Godot.

Skip it if: Belly laughing makes you nauseous.

Irish Authors Held Hostage
July 11, 2009 by Steven McKnight

Steven rates it: Five stars! A must-see!

In Irish Authors Held Hostage, Irish writers from throughout history have been kidnapped by terrorists and the outcome is invariably bad for the terrorists but great for the audiences viewing this clever work of inspired silliness.

Irish Authors Held Hostage involves eleven variations on the idea of terrorists taking authors hostage. The terrorist get more than they bargained for from authors who are capable of their own intellectual sympathizing and terrorizing. Author/cast member John Morogiello created an ideal work for a Fringe festival given its absurd premise, the twisted cerebral basis of much of the humor, and the quick-cutting comedic pacing.

An exemplary skit involves Oscar Wilde and Arab terrorists. After initially refusing to sit and be bound in an ugly chair, Wilde (Morogiello in a laughable wig) finally states “I don’t care what you do to me as long as it’s beautiful.” Wilde later is intrigued by a terrorist’s description of a post-martyrdom kiss from the Prophet and comfort from 72 virgins and flirts with him, creating confusion over the man’s sexual identity.

Irish Authors Held Hostage was last seen locally in a successful run during the 2006 Capital Fringe Festival. The original ensemble cast is back (Terrence Aselford, Lori Boyd, and Terence Heffernan join Morogiello) along with one new skit. Gone is the variation involving Sean Casey and a North Korean terrorist, replaced by a hilarious new scene when Frank and Malachy McCourt play “who had the worse childhood” with a Somali pirate (whose stories usually end with a local warload using his machete).

Given the experience of the cast, it’s no surprise that the ensemble moves quickly and confidently through the variations. All of the performers are skilled, although Terrence Heffernan’s Arab terrorist Achmed is especially memorable. Director Martin Blanco helps the cast keep the energy high and the caricatures lively.

At its best the humor rises to Monty Pythonesque heights. A few of the sketches are uneven, but the one-liners come so fast and furious that the fun never lags. Morogiello puts just enough information in the skits so an understanding of Irish literature is not necessary, but come early anyway to read the program’s funny background information. An added treat both pre-show and between scenes is live Irish music from a three person ensemble led by Music Director Tina Eck.

As a note to Fringe-goers, Morogiello is also the author of another work playing at this year’s festival, the revenge-comedy Jack the Ticket Ripper presented by The Georgetown Theatre Company. Given the success of Irish Authors Held Hostage, you might want to explore more fun from the playwright’s pen.

My only complaint about the performance is the fact that the musicians get to enjoy their Guinness in plain sight of the audience. As my old elementary school teacher said, “If you don’t being enough for the whole class to share …”

Irish Authors Held Hostage
by John Morogiello
Director by Martin Blanco
Producing by J. T. Burian Theatricals
Reviewed by Steven McKnight

The other play is Jack The Ticket Ripper, a comic revenge tragedy in one act. It is hilariously sick. No official word on the cast yet, but Catherine Aselford is directing the show. It is being produced by The Georgetown Theatre Company.

Below are the dates and times. Be sure to mark your calendars!

Irish Authors Held Hostage
presented by
J.T. Burian Theatricals
 

Venue

The Bodega – at The Corner Store
1013 7th ST NW, Washington DC 20001
 

Performance Times:

Friday July 10 @ 5pm
Sunday July 12 @ 5pm
Thursday July 16 @ 7pm
Saturday July 25 @ 11pm
Sunday July 26 @ 2:15
 

Jack the Ticket Ripper
presented by
The Georgetown Theatre Company

Venue

Goethe Institut – Gallery
812 7th Street NW, Washington DC 20001
 

Performance Times:

Saturday July 11 @ 9pm
Sunday July 12 @Noon
Thursday July 16 @ 6:30pm
Saturday July 18 @ 6pm
Sunday July 19 @2:30pm

I made the film in 2007, to keep myself from going insane after the plans for a Boston production of Irish Authors Held Hostage fell through. As such, it served its purpose.

But don’t just let me do a horrible job of promoting it, look at this trailer from YouTube:

I’m planning to revamp my website in the next week or so. There will be a more visible link at that time.

I hope to have one final scene from Irish Authors Held Hostage posted by the end of the week, something that will show off our wonderful actress, Lori Boyd. We hope to mount the show again at the Capital Fringe Festival in summer 2009.

Also, I’ll be performing in staged readings of student plays at Creative Alliance in Baltimore on September 18. Christine Stewart of MSAC asked me to take part. First rehearsal is tonight. Should be fun.