Itยs cool enough that two Samuel Beckett shows are on the program. But Ornery Theatre is actually producing two ยvery rarely producedย fragments not published till the ย70s, says Michael Switzer, the director and producer of Rough for Theatre I and Rough for Theatre II. (They are so unusual, Switzer says, he knew that if he didnยt do them, he ยwould never see them.ย) According to Switzer, the first show is ยtypical Beckett. Thereยre two men, a blind man and a man in a wheelchair, who are, as far as they can tell, the last people around.ย In true Beckett fashion, they end up fighting instead of helping each other, despite the apparent apocalypse. The second show opens with ยa man poised at a window waiting to jump out. Two men enter to discuss whether or not he should jump.ย Both plays are about trying to find some sort of solace in a devastating word ย which is ironic, given the performances are at Super Happy Fun Land. 3801 Polk. For information, call 713-880-2100 or email ornery.theatre@gmail.com. $10.
Fri., Aug. 7, 8 p.m.; Sat., Aug. 8, 8 p.m.; Mon., Aug. 10, 8 p.m., 2009
This article appears in Aug 6-12, 2009.