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November 3, 2011"The Zeitgeist Chronicles" (New Orleans)
November 7, 2011
In an unusual blend of science fiction and romance comedy, performers with the LePetit Theatre de Terrebonne in Houma are preparing for the Nov. 10-20 run of Alan Ayckbourn’s “Comic Potential.”
Set sometime in the future, co-producer Paul Labat suggests the time setting to be 2035 since one character makes reference to a fax machine to which a younger characters responds “What is a fax machine?”, television and movie actors have been replaced by androids.
In a small television studio where the soap opera “Hospital Hearts” is filmed and produced, remember all actors are androids subject to computer programming for expression and lines, former (human) film director Chandler Tate (played by Frank Davis) is inking out the remains of his onetime illustrious career with a crew (played by Gretchen Malbrough and Kelly Burlette) that likes Tate almost as much as he respects them.
One day the boss’s nephew and idealistic young screenwriter Adam (Alex Martin) is escorted to the studio by Regional TV Director Carla Pepperbloom (Patti Foret Loupe) to learn the business under Adam’s idol, Tate.
Much to the Tates’ disgust, Adam attempts to get involved in the process and begins developing a love interest in an android known as JC-F31-333, which the young intern calls Jacie (Danielle Marchive).
As the plot develops, Adam decides to kidnap Jacie because she responds to his interaction without having to be programmed. In a way, he has created a living being out of inanimate wires, computer chips and human-like appearance. The relationship is reminiscent to the ancient story of Pygmalion, who fell in love with a statue he had carved.
In leading roles, Martin is a local musician who has also made stage appearance as an actor. Marchive is experienced in community theatre and said she is appreciative of having an opportunity to play an android. She also expressed appreciation to those that helped her learn her lines.
The production is laced with both comedy and drama.
Some of the actors in “Comic Potential” play multiple roles and include Steve Crispinio, Alex Martin, Reggie Pontiff, Gayle Barrios-Walters, Shelbi Daigle, Jole Waldron and William Davis.
“Comic Potential” is directed by Dwayne Adams and in addition to Labat the production staff includes Greg Whitney, Gretchen Austin, Janet Owens and Steve Duplantis.
The play originally premiered in Scarborough, England on June 4, 1998.
“Comic Potential” features android actors in a scene from the show’s soap opera “Hospital Hearts”. Pictured from left are Steve Crispino as the doctor, Gayle Walters-Barrios as the mother, William Davis as the patient and standing in back as a nurse is android Jacie performed by Danielle Marchive.
