Dito van Reigersberg and Mikeah Ernest Jennings
in I Promised Myself to Live Faster
Photo-Bill Brymer

 

I Promised Myself To Live Faster

Directed by Dan Rothenberg
Text by Gregory S. Moss and the Pig Iron Theatre Company
Conceived and created by the Pig Iron Theatre Company

Review by Kate Barry

Entire contents are copyright © 2015 Kate Barry. All rights reserved.

As you enter the theater for I Promise Myself To Live Faster, you are greeted by flash and disco. With music blaring and a theater filled with shimmering glitter, I was ready for a good time. And let me tell you, this play does not disappoint. In a festival of plays where prestige and reputation matter so much, this production never takes itself too seriously. Campy and over the top, this is one Humana Festival installment that is a hilarious breath of fresh air.

The play blends science fiction motifs and cheeky irreverence as a young “heartbroken homosexual” named Tim travels the galaxy to save the homosexual race. Mikeah Ernest Jennings plays Tim, the hero who embarks on an epic journey from his humble beginnings in bed eating Chinese food to his triumphant rescue of a race of people. Reluctant for a new adventure and content with his broken heart, Tim is a character who needs change and progression in his life. As with all stories centered on journeys, Tim grows with every step towards his final location. Jennings is funny and relatable in this everyman role, and does well to keep the discoveries new and surprising, all while leaving his past behind him.

Throughout his journey, Tim meets several colorful characters that aid him in his quest. Most notably, The Bishop played with wonderful zeal by Dito van Reigersberg. Local comedic actors take note of this performance. If you want to know how to be incredibly silly, wear outrageous costumes, and still be taken seriously while expressing a profound message, look no further than Dito’s performance. In addition to The Bishop, Dito van Reigersberg brings a few other fabulous characters to the stage, but I’d hate to spoil the fun of discovering them firsthand.

The rest of the ensemble fills in for various other characters Tim meets along the way. Jennifer Kidwell, Mary McCool and Michele Tauber play extraterrestrial nuns on a mission to protect their planet, sadistic prison guards, gender bending bartenders, and pretty much any other type of intergalactic dweller you could imagine.

What makes this bawdy comedy so great is the message of the play, “no one is promised a tomorrow.” This mantra motivates the hero to put his past behind him, love hard and act now. On the surface I Promised Myself To Live Faster

might seem frivolous and silly but don’t let that distract you from the serious lessons waiting both the hero and the audience.

I Promised Myself To Live Faster

March 27-April 12, 2015

Part of the 39th Annual Humana Festival of New American Plays

Actors Theater of Louisville
316 East Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202
502-584-1205
ActorsTheatre.org

 

Kate Barry[box_light]Kate Barry earned her Bachelors in English with a Theater minor from Bellarmine University in 2008. She has worked with many different companies around town including Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, Bunbury Theater, Louisville Repertory Company, Walden Theater, Finnigan Productions and you have probably purchased tickets from her at that little performing arts center on Main Street as well. In 2012, her short play “PlayList” won festival favorite in the Finnigan Festival of Funky Fresh Fun. She has written for Leo Weekly and TheatreLouisville.com as well. Thanks for reading![/box_light]