OUR ENDEAVORS PLUMBS THE DEPTHS OF RIDICULOUSNESS
AS IT EXPLORES THE ARTIFICIAL JUNGLE
DALLAS - Our Endeavors Theater Collective (OETC) presents desire, murder, and hungry piranhas in the pet shop suspense thriller The Artificial Jungle by the late Charles Ludlam. Ensemble Member Christina Vela orchestrates The Artificial Jungle with a flair for the dark and alluring style of American film noir. The production opens on Thursday, Oct. 2, and runs Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:15 p.m. through Oct. 18 at the Bath House Cultural Center, 521 East Lawther Drive, Dallas. Ticket prices range from $7 to $20.
Charles Ludlam co-founded New York's acclaimed and influential Ridiculous Theatrical Company, which first performed The Artificial Jungle in 1986. His most celebrated works as a playwright include The Mystery of Irma Vep and his last play, The Artificial Jungle.
The Artificial Jungle tells the story of a twisted, ill-fated romance that turns a quiet, family-owned pet shop upside down. Chester Nurdiger and his sexually frustrated wife Roxanne hire a mysterious drifter named Zachary Slade to help out around the store. Raw animal magnetism between Zach and Roxanne is unleashed as they live out their dark fantasy of murder and romance. However, dreams don't come cheap. Their forbidden passion sets off a chain of hilarious and harrowing events that threaten to reveal them for the desperate creatures that they are.
"The Ensemble is envisioning The Artificial Jungle through the skewed lens perspective of 'film noir realism'," says OETC Artistic Director Scott Osborne. "We're placing particular emphasis on creating a sense of heightened mood with an atmosphere of histrionics," Mr. Osborne goes on to say, "This one is sure to send a chill up your spine."
Now in its sixth season, OETC continues its mission of providing a collaborative forum for the creation of unique, unusual, and innovative live experiences. By fearlessly pushing the boundaries of theatrical convention, OETC strives to create performances that amaze, engage, and entertain Dallas audiences.
For more information about this production or to request an interview with the director or actors, please contact Patti Kirkpatrick at (214) 327-4001 or ourendeavors@hotmail.com. Additional information about OETC can be found at www.ourendeavors.com.
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