The characters of this show may be tiny, a little wooden, and come off as a little stiff but Poe-Dunk: A Matchbox Entertainment is anything but rigid.  In fact, this innovative, charming, engaging show by Playlab NYC directed by John Pieza is a lively piece of theatre thanks to the man behind the matches – Kevin P. Hale.

Hale conceived this show which can be though of as a trip at break-neck speed along the autobahn of Edgar Allan Poe works (in the course of an hour over 30 Poe works are mentioned, performed or touched upon). Hale is also the sole performer, voicing all the characters and maneuvering scores of itty-bitty matchstick puppets around their eensy-weensy sets.  Don’t worry, though, thanks to a projector every microscopic bit of theatre is visible to the audience and there’s not a bad seat in the house.

When  acting as narrator, and giving a bit of history Hale is much like Poe himself who (we are informed) was a great fan of puns.  Puns, of course, can be a bit of an eye-roll but the winning and likable Hale delivers them with such outright enjoyment that it’s almost impossible not to be swept up in the sense of fun that pervades this entire production.

Poe-Dunk is many things at once: play time for grown ups,  multi-media theatre, and an exquisite study in how to shave those zeros off your production budget while still delivering characters who are gorgeously costumed and have the luxury of performing in beautifully appointed sets.

Poe-Dunk, "Annabel Lee"

The set up is simple.  Hale, for the most part, sits at a table and delivers Poe’s works one after another  -some well know (The Tell-Tale Heart, The Mask of the Red Death, The Murders in the Rue Morgue) and some obscure (The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall, The Conversation of Eiros and Charmion, The Philosophy of Furniture).  Each time another small box is drawn forth there’s no telling what will come from it, and as each Matchbox Theatre piece plays out it is nothing short of delightful to watch the clever ways that the tiny sets are manipulated.  These itsy-bitsy sets are not simply static but come complete with all manner of special effect which are highly creative and in some cases utterly ingenious.  While some stories rose far above the original work in terms of playfulness (Cabs, Theatrical Rats) the presentation of  The Cask of Amontillado was as chilling, as dramatic and as memorable as any I would hope to see in a full-scale production and played in a way that would make Poe proud.

One bit of advice if you’re planning to attend  -just as when you go to Madison Square Garden for, say, a Lady Gaga concert and find yourself staring at the Jumbotron the whole time to see her better-  you may find yourself staring at the projection screen most of the time.  Don’t.  To do so would be to rob yourself of the joy of constantly being reminded exactly how small and well-rendered each of these mini-scenes are … as well as keep you from enjoying the expressions on the face of Mr. Hale as he tells these tales of Poe. This is a man who – as PlayLab’s mission statement declares – takes fun way too seriously.  So allow yourself to enter his tiny world and see how amazing it can be to play with matches.

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The 2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL will run February 22-March 4 at The Kraine Theater & The Red Room (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Ave and Bowery) and UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place between 1st Ave and Ave A). Tickets to all shows may be purchased online at www.FRIGIDnewyork.info or by calling Smarttix at 212-868-4444.

Related Posts:

• Poe-Dunk – A Matchbox Entertainment: 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Professor Ralph’s Loss Of Breath (2014 Frigid New York Festival)
• The Rope In Your Hands: Katrina, In Their Own Words (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Stripper Lesbians: When Baring It All Is Academic (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Man Saved By Condiments: Some Time Alone To Ketchup (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Five Questions. Five Answers. And One Big Decision: Rock, Paper, Or Scissors?

Poe-Dunk, "Annabel Lee"

Poe-Dunk – A Matchbox Entertainment

Company: Playlab NYC

Beyond the tales of terror! On a tabletop lies the quaint and curious work of Edgar Allan Poe. Newspaperman. Playwright. Critic. Humorist. An itty-bitty puppet repertoire of obscure curios, marginalia, and even a couple popular classics from America’s most versatile writer.

Show Times:

• Wed 2/22 @ 6:30 pm
• Fri 2/24 @ 9:30 pm
• Mon 2/27 @ 8:00 pm
• Wed 2/29 @ 11:00 pm
• Sat 3/3 @ 12:30 pm

Answers by Kevin P. Hale

(Creator / Performer)

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
That’s some title. How did you come up with it – and what does it mean?
Kevin: A podunk is a small place that is regarded as unimportant. Cast members don’t get much smaller than the pair of three-quarter inch lovers in my version of “Annabel Lee.” Additionally, it was my goal to shine a light on some of Poe’s lesser-known works, seemingly unimportant stories like “The Scythe of Time” and “The Conversation of Eiros and Charmion.” And finally Edgar Allan Poe loved puns, so Poe-Dunk seemed inevitable.

Diánna Martin’s Question
If you were going to invite five people, anyone from past and present, to see your FRIGID show – who would you invite and why?

Kevin:

G. K. CHESTERTON – His essay “The Toy Theater”

MOM – When she flew out to see the last performance of Poe-Dunk – A Matchbox Entertainment at FringeNYC this summer Hurricane Irene happened, and the performance was cancelled.

“PROFESSOR” RALPH PHILLIPS – His1892 puppet adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s “Loss of Breath” has been a continual inspiration to our work at Playlab NYC.

LAURA HEIT – Her matchbox shows allowed me to see that my matchbox Poe models didn’t need to just sit on a bookshelf.

DAVID CRONENBERG – When I invited him to my high school graduation twenty some odd years ago he didn’t come.

Antonio Minino’s Question
What is the biggest sacrifice you’ve ever made for your Art and was it worth it?
Kevin: I once sacrificed a goat for my Art. It was totally worth it, so now I’m thinking about sacrificing a water buffalo.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
Was there any unexpected discovery made during the development of this production and, if so, can you share it?
Kevin: I hear that actors do this sort of thing all the time, but I was very surprised to discover that I could memorize a sixty-minute one-person show.

Michelle Augello-Page’s Question
What do you hope the audience receives from the experience of seeing this show?
Kevin: It is my hope that they leave the theater knowing that Edgar Allan Poe was a very funny guy.

Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH

THM Bonus Question – We’re serious this year!
In the THM virtual Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH which FRIGID Show do you take on?
Kevin: Drowning Ophelia

And what do you throw?
Kevin: Paper

Excellent choice, Poe-Dunk … fantastic!  I’m not making any predictions, but seeing as Drowning Ophelia is a ROCK opera, you may have won that one.  But we’ll have to see!

Looks like Love in the Time of Chlamydia (who challenged everyone with ROCK) has finally – yes I’ll say it – met her MATCH!  Because after either tying or vanquishing most of the opponents she’s now been smothered by PAPER.  Victory to – Poe-Dunk!  You were also challenged by I Married A Nun … who also chose PAPER.  That is a DRAW — but in this case “draw” means go out and “draw” some more of those great little Poe-Dunk characters!

Thanks Poe-Dunk: A Matchbox Entertainment for participating in The Happiest Medium’s FRIGID New York Festival 2012 Q&A. And for playing our game! You’re officially PAPER in any and all challenges. You may win again, you may not – who knows! This is how it works in the crazy world of the Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH!

For the rest of you don’t forget to check out Poe-Dunk: A Matchbox Entertainment!

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The 2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL will run February 22-March 4 at The Kraine Theater & The Red Room (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Ave and Bowery) and UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place between 1st Ave and Ave A). Tickets to all shows may be purchased online at www.FRIGIDnewyork.info or by calling Smarttix at 212-868-4444.

Related Posts:

• Poe-Dunk: A Matchbox Entertainment – Listen To These Tales Of Poe (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Professor Ralph’s Loss Of Breath (2014 Frigid New York Festival)
• LOL: The End. : 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• ‘Til Love Do Us Part: 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Aerial Allusions: 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)