Things Unseen brings another edgy show to Altoona stage
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Things Unseen Theatre is doing another play that pushes the envelope so much you might get offended if you're particularly religious.
But "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo" is a thought-provoking show that deals with a myriad of issues, from morals to mysteries, says the company's co-founder and artistic director.
"Yes, this play is edgy," said Valerie Stratton. "We do like to focus on plays that deal with issues, and this play deals with lots of issues: moral problems, existential mysteries, aftermath of violence, culture clash, good and evil, impact of war on individuals, looking for the meaning of life."
Shows are scheduled for 8 p.m. April 12 through 14 and 2 p.m. April 15 at the Church in the Middle of the Block Cultural Center in Altoona.
The play, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama and written by Rajiv Joseph, follows the story of the United States' invasion of Baghdad, Iraq, in 2003 and U.S. Marines stationed around the city, including the zoo, said Rich McGarvey, who is directing the effort for Things Unseen.
A tiger at the guarded zoo bites off the hand of one of the Marines and is killed by another soldier. The animal comes back and haunts American forces, "questioning the nature of God in a war zone" and searching for the meaning of life, McGarvey said. The two Marines are "left to pick up the pieces of their life."
"It's a dark comedy," McGarvey said. "You'll go back and forth with your emotions. If we do it like I think we will, you'll have a roller coaster ride."
The theatrics come in, Stratton said, with a tiger that can talk.
"It's very theatrical in the sense that the tiger doesn't look like a tiger and he walks around talking philosophy," she said. "So it's a challenging play for both the audience and the cast."
McGarvey said other challenges include the use of some lines in Arabic and the smaller stage at the cultural center on Fifth Avenue.
"The show bounces back and forth between several areas of the city," he said. "It's challenging to show (scenes) from the garden to a bombed-out leper colony back to Marine barracks and then back to the garden."
Due to the subject matter, finding the humor is challenging as well, but Joseph has written such a brillliant play, he said. It contains a lot of graphic language, violence and sexual content.
"If you are religious in nature, you will probably be offended by this show," he said. "It's not questioning the Christian God or the Muslim God. It's just, how can an all-loving God allow these tragic things to happen."
It is not appropriate for children, but "we feel it's definitely worth presenting as a thought-provoking show," Stratton said.
Who should attend?
"Anybody who wants to experience a great piece of theater and great acting," McGarvey said. "If you have questions about the nature of God in your personal life, you might want to come.
If you're just looking for a great night out, to see something different … No one else around here will do anything like this."
He said when he first read the script, "I knew it wouldn't be done at the Mishler" Theatre.
He noted that Robin Williams played the tiger when the show had a limited engagement on Broadway in 2011. It was the famed late actor's final appearance on Broadway; his only previous engagement had been a stand-up comedy show.
"His wit and approach to the tiger is fantastic," McGarvey said. "Jerry Cox, who plays our tiger, doesn't emulate Robin, but brings his own style and humor to the part."
Mirror Staff Writer Cherie Hicks is at 949-7030.
If you go
What: Things Unseen Theatre's production of "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo"
When: 8 p.m. April 12-14, 2 p.m. April 15
Where: The Church in the Middle of the Block Cultural Center, 217 Fifth Ave., Altoona
Admission: $10 for students, seniors and military, $12 for general admission
Tickets: At the door and at Thompson Pharmacies
More info: (814) 934-3504, www.ThingsUnseenTheatre.org