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"One-man show" can be quite a daunting set of words. Accompanying terms that come to mind are "sleep," "boredom" and "scary." But with an extremely competent actor, a creative director and an able production crew, the Black Box Theater's "Vincent" brings the "one-man show" to a whole new level.
The play is a portrayal of Vincent Van Gogh through the eyes of his brother, Theo. Leonard Nimoy, of "Mr. Spock" fame, wrote and performed the show when it debuted in 1978.
While the show is a one-man production, there are two characters portrayed by a single actor. The story is told by Theo, and Vincent's dialogue comes in letters and "flashbacks," in which the actor transitions between the characters.
The show stars NMSU alum Josh Shakra, who is revisiting the role of Vincent, as he played the same character in the American Southwest Theater Company production of "Vincent in Brixton" this spring. While the ASTC show focused on the artist in one part of his life, "Vincent" is more of a biographical overview, with third-party insights from Theo.
It can't be easy to move back and forth between multiple characters, but Shakra moves smoothly between the two brothers with subtle elements to distinguish the different roles. The actor holds attention well, playing the emotion intensely. Dry eyes in the audience are few and far between.
Theo announces in the first few minutes his brother has recently died, and begins the story of Vincent's life through recollections and letters between the two brothers. Theo speaks fondly of his brother, and it's apparent he may often have been the only sympathetic being in Vincent's tortured existence.
The plot touches on the artist's romantic escapades, which happened on a seemingly trial-and-error basis (mostly error). The story portrays Vincent's religious beliefs and his eventual journey into a frenzied state of mind, which the doctors attributed to epilepsy. Theo never commits belief in his brother's insanity.
The playbill notes Theo's death from syphilis was only six months following Vincent's passing. With that in mind, the emotional level of the play becomes even heavier, and Shakra's performance is heartbreaking.
There is plenty on stage to hold audience attention, as director Ceil Herman and the production crew have created a warm space for Theo and Vincent. Front and center sits a large easel with a screen on which Van Gogh paintings and images of people featured in the storyline are projected throughout the show. Props are aplenty and help set the mood and time period while aiding Shakra's storytelling.
The monologue ventures into dense territory at times and could prove a less than perfect experience for those faint of theater heart. But a little appreciation can go a long way and Shakra's performance picks up the rest.
"Vincent" runs through Oct. 14 at the Black Box Theater, 430 N. Downtown Mall. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 general admission, $9 students and seniors over 65. For reservations, call 523-1223.
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