Despair's Book of Dreams and the Sometimes Radio
It's the waking dreamscape of a lonely abandoned man capering through the confines of a house as jumbled and tattered as the ruins of his mind. It's soliloquy and song, music and mysticism, even a scattered meditation on the tenuous phantoms of audio frequency. Or infrequency, as the case may be. In his unusual new musical, Kirk Smith moves us through a dark night of the soul of a certain Constantinopolis: a man whose memories both nurture, and terrorize who is rebuilding within his heartbreak house and antique radio through which he receives broadcasts from . . .somewhere. Full length. 100 min.
- Produced by VORTEX Repertory Co. Austin TX. Jan. 2000. Smith played the role of Connie. Directed by Bonnie Cullum.
- Produced by VORTEX Repertory Co. Austin, TX. Oct. 2000
- Presented by HERE Arts Center. New York City. March 2001
- Presented by McNeese State University. Lake Charles, LA. April 2001
Nominated for eight B. Iden Payne Awards including: Outstanding Original Script.
Nominated for Best Musical and Best Musical Direction, Austin Critics Awards.
Winner of five B. Iden Payne Awards including: Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Selected by The Austin Chronicle as one of the Top Ten Performing Arts Events of 2000.
“There's a spark of genius in this remarkable and original new work.” New York Theatre Experience
“Singular poetry, songwriting, acting and singing . . . an unforgettable theatrical universe.” The Austin American-Statesman
“A masterful depiction of emotion and the human mind, Despair is mesmerizing.” The Lake Charles Contraband
“Smith is in fine form...his voice can rip its way right into your heart.” The Austin Chronicle
“The text and music are fascinating and complex. An extraordinary performance.” New York Theatre Experience
“Despair's Book of Dreams demonstrates distinct promise.” The Village Voice
“A mighty work of despair and longing, Smith skates the lines of mythology that only Elvis and Jeff Buckley occupy.” Citysearch.com rights contact
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