Thursday afternoon I flew back into town from a week in Mexico City with plans to go to a play that evening with Arena Stage. We had a unique opportunity to go to a preview of LOOPED (thanks, Nick) at the historic Lincoln Theatre. I was feeling quite tired from my travels and almost decided not to go, but I was totally obligated and really wanted to see it.....so off we went.I can tell you, I am so glad I didn't stay at home....and I had NO trouble staying awake. If you have the chance, I highly recommend you take in the pre-Broadway production of LOOPED starring Valerie Harper.
Matthew Lombardo with American Voices had this to say:
Someone mentioned if I had ever thought of writing a play about Tallulah Bankhead. My response was immediate and negative. I mean, having just spent the last few years of my life with The Great Kate, the last thing I wanted to do was to write another play about yet another famous actress. But I was rather intrigued why the question had been posed. It was soon explained that there evidently was this 1965 audio tape floating around of Tallulah Bankhead in a looping session for the film Die, Die My Darling.
Suffice it to say -- my curiosity was soon piqued. And after listening to that recording (and despite my early objections) I was simultaneously catapulted into hysteria and overcome with melancholy -- for hearing the laughter and pain of a woman who had lived such an outrageous life, a self-indulgent existence of excess -- had me questioning my very own life as well. And it was at that moment I soon began drafting LOOPED.
Human nature always continues to fascinate me. Why do so many of us instinctively attempt to sabotage ourselves, causing conflict and chaos when all is seemingly moving in positive directions? Do we think we are unworthy or undeserving of success? Or do we need to infuse self-inflicted drama in order to make ourselves feel more alive in our everyday living? I suppose questions like these may never get answered but they are certainly worth exploration. And in the case of Tallulah Bankhead, my investigation led to one hell of an unforgettable ride!
I couldn't agree more. If you get the chance, please go see this production before they pack up the set and head off to Broadway.Watch Valerie talk about LOOPED on YouTube.
Enjoy......let me know how you like the show!
