Refried Elvis is a swiftly paced parody that packs a Presley punch. With familiar tunes and modern jokes, it’s fun for the whole family. From beginning to end it’s as smart as it is funny, and guaranteed to entertain. I found the acting to be nearly impeccable, as all on stage seemed entirely committed to their characters, actions, and intent. No matter how serious or silly the scene, I found the believability to be there. While I found everyone believable, I found The General, played by Craig Culp, and J. Edgar Groover, played by Greg Threlkeld, to be the most convincing of the cast. From his wide dramatic movements to his round about way of speaking, Culp encapsulated the perfect manipulative, freak show, scam artist. You knew from the
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As for myself, I viewed it as a depiction of the way in which society fears new ideas or movements that challenge the status quo, and the extreme lengths taken by authority figures or groups to suppress that in which they don’t understand. In this case, we have Elvis with his rock n roll music, and gyrating hips, that parents and the authorities view as a dangerous example prepared to taint their impressionable youth. This was supported through paranoid parents tossing Elvis’s records, fearful politicians demanding bans on the musician, community meetings plotting Elvis’s kidnapping, and secret gatherings of FBI agents. One symbolic touch I liked that reflected this was the watchful eye that reminded me of a big brother type presence, vigilantly keeping watch on the masses below. The actors moved smoothing from one scene to the next, giving the appearance of a cohesive production that was entertaining and fast moving. I witnessed no pausing; when one scene was ending the next scene was already being prepared. Overall, the whole play was very clean, well managed, and highly professional.
The play was performed at Cuesta College’s Performing Arts Center, on a smaller proscenium stage that seats 450 people. The space was limited, clean, and simplistic, and not terribly theatrical, but that all changed when many of the production effects and set design were revealed (which will be explained further below). …show more content…
There were two main objectives in this play among character, to promote rock n’ roll, depicted by Elvis and his fans, or to silence it, which we see presented through the FBI, politicians, and parents. Also present were conflicting feelings of love through Sparkle Jackson, and the struggle to express ones genuine identity by Purity Justice. In many ways the characters weren’t “realistic” as they were symbolic of extremes in our society; from a rock n’ roll star representing the emergence of a new age, to FBI agents symbolizing a hovering big brother source pitted against change. I found the most “realistic” character to be the most relatable, Purity Justice. She was just an average girl searching herself, while trying to express her talents. I think most people can relate to that; I certainly
As for myself, I viewed it as a depiction of the way in which society fears new ideas or movements that challenge the status quo, and the extreme lengths taken by authority figures or groups to suppress that in which they don’t understand. In this case, we have Elvis with his rock n roll music, and gyrating hips, that parents and the authorities view as a dangerous example prepared to taint their impressionable youth. This was supported through paranoid parents tossing Elvis’s records, fearful politicians demanding bans on the musician, community meetings plotting Elvis’s kidnapping, and secret gatherings of FBI agents. One symbolic touch I liked that reflected this was the watchful eye that reminded me of a big brother type presence, vigilantly keeping watch on the masses below. The actors moved smoothing from one scene to the next, giving the appearance of a cohesive production that was entertaining and fast moving. I witnessed no pausing; when one scene was ending the next scene was already being prepared. Overall, the whole play was very clean, well managed, and highly professional.
The play was performed at Cuesta College’s Performing Arts Center, on a smaller proscenium stage that seats 450 people. The space was limited, clean, and simplistic, and not terribly theatrical, but that all changed when many of the production effects and set design were revealed (which will be explained further below). …show more content…
There were two main objectives in this play among character, to promote rock n’ roll, depicted by Elvis and his fans, or to silence it, which we see presented through the FBI, politicians, and parents. Also present were conflicting feelings of love through Sparkle Jackson, and the struggle to express ones genuine identity by Purity Justice. In many ways the characters weren’t “realistic” as they were symbolic of extremes in our society; from a rock n’ roll star representing the emergence of a new age, to FBI agents symbolizing a hovering big brother source pitted against change. I found the most “realistic” character to be the most relatable, Purity Justice. She was just an average girl searching herself, while trying to express her talents. I think most people can relate to that; I certainly