davidvanwert.com

Discovery is a new project by members of Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot. Vampire Weekend (at Neumo’s) was one of the best shows I saw in 2008.

My friend Ben Newton & I wrote a play, an excerpt of which is being performed at Ghost Light Theatricals’ Battle of the Bards. Our play is called “Blinding Pains,” and it’s a sit-com spin-off of Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex.”

In an attempt to re-build his life after the tragedies that happened back in Thebes (y’know, killing his dad, marrying his mom, then poking out his eyes in grief), Oedipus has relocated to Phoenix, AZ and opened a restaurant. It’s a Greek-Mexican fusion place called “Oedipus Mex.” He’s just a blind, toga-wearing restauranteur trying to make a living, with the help of his talented but emotional chef, Luis Papadopoulos, and his head waiter, Nigel Englishman.

Unfortunately, other things (and other plays) keep getting in the way. His bi-sexual girlfriend is also dating Hedda Gabler, Willy Loman dies in his restaurant on the day of their health inspection, his cat won’t stop singing, the Danish Royal Family wants to book the place for a private party… and his next door neighbor is Tyler Perry’s Othello. Life is still a tragedy for Oedipus. But hilarity ensues, nonetheless.

Of course, any self-respecting sit-com needs a theme song. Here’s ours:

The theme song to “Blinding Pains” with lyrics by me & Ben, music written & performed by Dan Yost, and vocals by Chris Marx.

Battle of the Bards takes place January 16 at 8:00pm & 10:30 pm and January 17 at 8:00pm at Stone Soup Theatre in Wallingford. Three ensembles perform scenes from three classical play adaptations. The audience then votes on which play goes into Ghost Light’s 2009-10 season. Admission includes one vote, and additional votes are only $1 each so vote as often as you like! All proceeds support the work of Ghost Light Theatricals. Tickets are $10; available at the door or through Brown Paper Tickets.

Happy 80^th to you, Mr. Lehrer. In your honor, I went to the park today and…