Frencified at I Am Not Tartuffe

1204 Cedar Ave

Photo by: Wylie Maercklein

Last week, as most of you know, SXSW took over most of Austin. The whole scene actually really felt like the Sunset Strip in LA. Crazy traffic, no parking, long lines to get into everything, and obnoxious people schmoozing all over the place. Oh... and scores of emos.
Ick.
Driving downtown to meet friends took me 20 minutes instead of 10... and it took me 40 minutes to find a free parking spot.
And that was a Wednesday night.
The thought of doing it all again on a Friday wasn't all that appealing to me.
So, I was thrilled when I remembered that I Am Not Tartuffe was playing over on the eastsiiiiiiide.

So I got together some friends and headed over to play!theatre.

As we walked in, one of my friends, a wide-eyed 21 year old asked me, "So... uh... what is this about anyway?"
Honestly, I had no idea.
I knew it was something that had to do with the French taking over America... and something about God having an existential crisis. And Captain Jesus helping to defend America against those moody Frenchiphiles with the help of Rock 'n' Roll.
So, instead of asking what is the plot... It's more like, What is plot? What is meaning? What is life?
So, I just said, "Dude, I have no idea."
The wide-eyed girl gave me a look that was, well, wide-eyed.

The play was an intense show unlike anything I have ever seen before... and honestly, I was impressed. This was a really ambitious production. With ambitious productions, as I discovered as a film student, sometimes all that really means is that someone has a good idea, but that there is a longer way to fall if it doesn't work out. Quite simply, it's destined to either be realllyreally good or reallyreally bad.

I am not Tartuffe is reallyreally good.

Here Are 10 Reasons Why:

1. The Dialogue. It's funny and irreverant. It's the flavor of Colbert with some extra evangelical sprinkled in for good measure.


2. The Dance. It's always good to see an entire eclectic ensemble of all ages and sizes shake their groove thang... even better when the moves are an intersection of Westside Story, Thriller, and the Humpty Hump.


3. The Band Peel. 'nuff said... go listen to their music. Be their friend.


4. The faux French New Wave Film. What is faux? What is French? What is Film? What is Life? What is meaning? What is what? There is no what! But there is a film... scroll down and watch it.


5. The B-Movie Factor. Just as we were warned years ago in the age of Freedom Fries, the French took over everyday Americans one by one. Of course, this was done in true B-Movie fashion. It was like a live action version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers or my personal favorite: Hard Rock Zombies. Only with perky, hopeful Red State Americans being overtaken by moody Frenchies in black.


6. The Captain Jesus. He's kind of like Will Ferrell's character in Old School, but he's even better because he wants to save America with Rock 'n' Roll. Oh yeah, and wears a leotard over sparkly, flesh-colored leggings.


7. The Package of Captain Jesus. No, I don't have a link to a picture. You're just going to have to go and see it for yourself.


8. The Projected Chat Room. You can chat with God/France's inner voice and your snarky comments are projected on the backdrop while God/France rants and raves on the stage. Plus, if you bring your laptop, you gets $2 buckeroos off. Self-indulgent + saves you cash = Très Américain . Oh, and remember... there is no God. Only France.


9. The Whole Enchilada. Somehow all of these pieces come together and work harmoniously enough that you care about the eradication of all that is perky and perfect about Patriotism. And miraculously, sense is made of the senseless.


10. There is no 10.

So yeah.

Go. See. Now.


Here's the film by Teacup Pict-o-Films that was shown during the play...





Yellow Tape Construction Company's I Am Not Tartuffe

March 15th - 31st, Th/Fr/Sa at 8pm

play! Theatre, 1204 Cedar, 78702 [map]$14 [tickets]

If you are looking for a place near the theater to have dinner before the show, I recommend Ms. B's. Just give yourself enough time because meals at Ms. B's tend to be slow and leisurely. But the food is the best Creole in Austin and mos def worth it.

For drinks after the show, check out Long Branch Inn. Great music and people watching, full bar.

Both are very close by and show that life can be cool on the eastside.