Tweet New Play: Stoneface (Keaton)

A new play about Buster Keaton is about to premiere: Stoneface: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Buster Keaton.

"MAY 25 - JUNE 30, 2012
Fridays & Saturdays @ 8pm
Sunday Matinees @ 2pm
written by Vanessa Claire Stewart (Louis & Keely)
directed by Jaime Robledo (Watson)
produced by Brian W. Wallis

Chronicled through the lens of his own silent films, Stoneface recreates some of Buster Keaton's most memorable gags live on stage, capturing the legend of a bygone era and telling the tale of the redemption of one of Hollywood's greatest performers."

http://sacredfools.org/mainstage/12/stoneface/

I take it they won't be recreating the falling house front gag from Steamboat Bill, Jr.!

I've seen clips of both Buster and Eleanor shuddering at the thought of that one in later years.

The Los Angeles Times gives a really good review of the play, noting that it possesses many Rube Goldberg like contraptions and live silent film clips.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/ar ... 5907.story

LA Weekly gives it a really great review as well:
http://www.laweekly.com/2012-05-31/stag ... h-stewart/

I saw the play this afternoon and thought it very well done. It's very imaginatively staged, using real film clips, staged new clips, titles, recreations of stunts and gags, some used as symbolism, and live piano accompaniment. It features fine performances, particularly from French Stewart as the mature Buster, the actor who plays Arbuckle, and the actors who play Chaplin and Joseph Schenck. It's told in flashbacks and flashforwards and shows how the love of a good woman can help bring serenity. It could have started a little stronger in setting up how "Buster" came to be and how his father treated him, but objectively dealt with the demons he was dealing it. It plays loose with some facts, which the program says is intentional in playing with the legend of his life. There were audience members there who obviously hadn't seen silents and took a little while to figure out not to read aloud the titles and how to follow the action.

Actually, they did recreate the gag from Steamboat Bill Jr., with the facade of a house falling down and around French Stewart!

Actually, they did recreate the gag from Steamboat Bill Jr.,
with the facade of a house falling down and around French Stewart!

For those dreading a Third Rock reunion,
here's your chance---- for this scene,
buy him some elevator shoes.

Actually, I'd love a 3rd Rock reunion.

French Stewart is great (my fave thing about 3rd Rock), and I REALLY wish I could see this play, dammit!

Actually, I'd love a 3rd Rock reunion.

French Stewart is great (my fave thing about 3rd Rock), and I REALLY wish I could see this play, dammit!

Oh too bad, you could have taken my ticket. Awkward calendaring mishaps bedevil me.

Actually, I'd love a 3rd Rock reunion.

French Stewart is great (my fave thing about 3rd Rock), and I REALLY wish I could see this play, dammit!

Oh too bad, you could have taken my ticket. Awkward calendaring mishaps bedevil me.

Aw man, thanks, that's awfully sweet of you to say so, and I'm sorry you weren't able to make the show! But my problem is that I don't live in LA, so I miss all these lovely events. I don't suppose they'll take it on the road to Seattle town...?