THEATER REVIEW
Wednesday, August 3, 2005
By Ken Keuffel JOURNAL REPORTER
Several patrons remained in the lobby of the Scales Fine Arts Center at Wake Forest University yesterday, either expressing astonishment at what they had just seen or openly weeping about it.
One could hardly blame them.
David Paladino's Champion, the second of two one-act plays being presented at the WFU Theater, is that kind of show. It makes you feel as much as it makes you think. The presentation's other show, starring Gigi Bolden, is Kenneth B. Davis' Ugly.
In Champion, Anthony Pisano (Paladino) has always struggled with the overt and subtle prejudice he attracts because of his biracial heritage, a heritage that he and others have tried to cover up. Eventually, though, enough becomes enough, and Pisano travels 12 hours by car to meet his black father, Keith Ellis (Ski "Cutty" Carr), for the first time in 30 years.
Pisano's father, once a promising athlete, is a gruff, defeated man. He lives in a dumpy apartment, hobbles about on a bum knee, swigs booze and does drugs. Pisano's reunion with him is messy, inspiring and redemptive.
Ugly is as promising as Champion, albeit in a different way, but it doesn't work - either because it tries to tell too many stories at once or because the stories don't add up to a coherent, satisfying whole.
Ugly begins with an amusing, provocative tale about Debra Fuller, a black author who is writing a story about ugly white women. Later, Ugly starts resembling an over-the-top soap opera when Fuller's lover ditches her for her daughter and Fuller befriends a white, terminally ill cancer patient.
Champion: One-act show elicits emotion, introspection in audience
Wednesday, August 3, 2005
By Ken Keuffel JOURNAL REPORTER
Several patrons remained in the lobby of the Scales Fine Arts Center at Wake Forest University yesterday, either expressing astonishment at what they had just seen or openly weeping about it.
One could hardly blame them.
David Paladino's Champion, the second of two one-act plays being presented at the WFU Theater, is that kind of show. It makes you feel as much as it makes you think. The presentation's other show, starring Gigi Bolden, is Kenneth B. Davis' Ugly.
In Champion, Anthony Pisano (Paladino) has always struggled with the overt and subtle prejudice he attracts because of his biracial heritage, a heritage that he and others have tried to cover up. Eventually, though, enough becomes enough, and Pisano travels 12 hours by car to meet his black father, Keith Ellis (Ski "Cutty" Carr), for the first time in 30 years.
Pisano's father, once a promising athlete, is a gruff, defeated man. He lives in a dumpy apartment, hobbles about on a bum knee, swigs booze and does drugs. Pisano's reunion with him is messy, inspiring and redemptive.
Ugly is as promising as Champion, albeit in a different way, but it doesn't work - either because it tries to tell too many stories at once or because the stories don't add up to a coherent, satisfying whole.
Ugly begins with an amusing, provocative tale about Debra Fuller, a black author who is writing a story about ugly white women. Later, Ugly starts resembling an over-the-top soap opera when Fuller's lover ditches her for her daughter and Fuller befriends a white, terminally ill cancer patient.
REELS
After some time away writing, producing, getting married...David is excited about several of his upcoming acting roles, most notably 'Brian Taylor' in freedom for joe.
INTERVIEW
with Cris Beam and Ira Glass
David's unique life-story has been the subject of many articles & blogs.
Listen to NPR's Hit Radio Show This American Life as they speak with David and his family in this captivating interview.
David's critically acclaimed one-act play Champion is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Lulu.
David has also been writing for the screen which includes penning the script for Champion the movie.
David has also been writing for the screen which includes penning the script for Champion the movie.
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