“Kiss Your Brutal Hands” at FringeNYC 2014 at 64E4 Underground (Closed on Friday August 22, 2014)
“Kiss Your Brutal Hands” at FringeNYC 2014 at 64E4 Underground (Closed on Friday August 22, 2014) Written and Performed by Jim Shankman Directed by Craig J. George Reviewed by David Roberts Theatre Reviews Limited
One’s religious heritage can be a heavy weight when one is a lonely addicted (to sex and to drugs) trader teetering on the brink of a short sale meltdown or a delusional homeless person in Tompkins Square Park bedecked with layers of pants and a pretty dress – particularly so if these are one and the same person.
Eschewing one’s faith, as Izzy and Danny attempt to do in Jim Shankman’s “Kiss Your Brutal Hands,” does not guarantee that one’s faith construct will not remain a haunting presence throughout one’s life. Rite and ritual - like those same constructs in stock trading, street theatre, and prison – fail to offer surcease. The need to believe, commit, and care continue to impinge on the conscious and unconscious self.
Jim Shankman’s “Kiss Your Brutal Hands” portrays Izzy and Danny facing the crisis of identity and sustainability. They rant, rave, and rage against all they perceive to distract them (God, Jews, agents, attorneys, former sex-mates, little and no-so-little girls who want to get them into trouble). Some of the ranting is tasteless and gratuitous but it serves to expose the angst and despair of Mr. Shankman’s characters.
It is not clear what the purpose of this solo performance might be. The character of Danny is shallow and nothing similar to a Tomkins Square Park homeless person. And Izzy’s frenetic series of phone calls does little to develop a character one easily cares for or identifies with. Mr. George’s direction is often distracting and contributes little to the advancement of the action.
KISS YOUR BRUTAL HANDS
“Kiss Your Brutal Hands” is presented by Michael Howard Studios in Association with The Present Company (Elena K Holy, Producing Artistic Director). Directed by Craig G. George.
For performance schedule, ticketing information and more information about the presenting company, please visit www.FringeNYC.org. For mobile ticketing, please visit www.FringeonTheFly.com. The running time is 1 hour and 30 minutes with no intermission.
Permalink | Posted by David Roberts on Saturday, August 23, 2014
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