A Note from the Dramaturg

In the classic tale of Frankenstein, we see what happens when a brilliant scientist creates something that leaps out of his control. Like Totally Weird by William Mastrosimone parallels this theme. This time the setting is Hollywood and the scientist is Russ Rigel, an award-winning film producer. The “monsters” he has spawned are Kenny and Jimmy – two teenage consumers of his bloody action films.

“It’s about America – not only about what is happening, but what it will become,” said the playwright about Like Totally Weird which premiered at the 1998 Humana Festival of New American Plays. Kenny and Jimmy sneak into the home of Russ Rigel and his leading lady and girlfriend, Jennifer Barton. As the teens terrorize the couple, inspired by the fictional characters from Russ’ films and real life we begin to question whether art imitates life or life imitates art. The line between reality and fantasy has somehow been blurred. Kenny and Jimmy – like many other young consumers of American pop culture – are over-stimulated, desensitized and, well,  bored. Seeking change in their diet of malls, movies, and video games, they hop on their skateboards and “hitch a few bumpers” to the home of their idols. By the end of this Saturday journey, they end up with more than just autographs and Russ and Jennifer end up with some surprising revelations.

Whether or not pop culture can be blamed for society’s ills is left up to the audience. Mastrosimone has crafted a play that comments on the representations of violence. To determine if that violence -- both blatant and psychological -- is responsible for other acts of violence is the audience’s job.  “Walter Kerr said that the greatest tool a playwright has is the imagination of the audience,” said Mastrosimone in an interview. “I don’t want to direct their attention.” But at the very least, Like Totally Weird does direct our attention to America. We look at it not through a microscope like a scientist but through the lens of Hollywood and all its “totally weird” influences.