"Bono and the Edge Waiting for Godomino's" is delightfully absurd!

Richard Lucas, author of the play, "Bono and The Edge Waiting for Godomino's" is an actor, comedian and scriptwriter with an acerbic, smart, sincere style. Lucas' LinkedIn page describes among his talents a penchant for, "...smart comedy, smart-ass comedy, political analysis, personal essay..." Indeed, his play is smart, funny and sincere.

Already dripping in "Best Of..." accolades from it's L.A. tour, and heading to Scotland's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, this delightful romp played Las Vegas, Nevada at the Majestic Repertory Theatre for two nights last week.

"Bono..." is a clever send-off, mash-up, hungry-tongue-in-cheek, full-length one-act, rifting on Samuel Beckett's famous absurdist play, "Waiting for Godot."

Samuel Beckett was born in Ireland, educated at Trinity College was a Nobel Prize recipient and is still considered a "godfather" of Theatre of the Absurd.

U2 Irish band member, "Bono" is Paul David Hewson, decorated by the United Kingdom as, "Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire" a grade within the British order of chivalry.

Additionally, "Bono" is also decorated with The Portuguese Order of Liberty, Order of Freedom, for services to democracy and freedom.

Known for his distinctive eye wear, the U2 front-man launched his line of sunglasses to help raise funds for people with eye problems.

"The Edge" David Howell Evans is an Irish musician and songwriter best known as lead guitarist, keyboardist and backing vocalist of the rock band U2. A member of the group since its beginning.

As a member of U2, and as an individual, "Edge" has campaigned for human rights and philanthropic causes. He co-founded Music Rising, a charity to support musicians affected by disasters. He has 22 Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Knowing these facts helps the audience enjoy sweet "bon mots" tossed out in Richard Lucas' redux of "...Godot." Pace, props, and occasional "triple-entendre" add layers of enjoyment especially when a general background of Samuel Beckett, U2, and Absurdism are known.

All four actors owned their characters. Richard Lucas did "Bono" mannerisms to hilarity. Curt Collier as "The Edge" was a great side-kick-belly-bump to Bono.

Bruno Oliver as "Domingo" was commanding in his vocal and facial ranges. Jeff Blumberg as "Lucky" brought a magical quality to his character with his "intensity from within" wide-eyed portrayal. It's really an accomplishment to continue to speak, without lines. The cast's balance and ease flowed and allowed the rich script to shine. Even the "walk-on" pizza-lady part was perfectly done!

The basic premise is that Bono and The Edge are waiting for a pizza delivery, so they can experience what it's like to be a "common man" free from the trappings and burdens of fame and riches. If you have seen "Waiting for Godot" you will catch the underlying connections that make this a worthy theatre experience.

Absurdly, I am still pondering the apostrophe in the title! Sigh...

Majestic Repertory Theatre will be presenting "Cabaret" next.

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EMAV Review: Henderson Symphony Orchestra sent “Wizard of Oz” soaring for a very exuberant family cr

By Marianne Donnelly

Lyman Frank Baum, author of the OZ Series, was also known as: George Brooks, Louis F. Baum, Laura Bancroft, Suzanne Metcalf, Capt. Hugh Fitz- gerald, Schuyler Staunton, Edith Van Dyne, Floyd Akers, John Estes Cooke! With these pen names he wrote more than 400 books, plays, scripts, articles and poems.

We remember Baum most for “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” dedicated to his wife, Maud Gage Baum, because of the enormous popularity of the 1939 movie star- ring Judy Garland as Dorothy from Kansas.

It was magnificent to view the original film, in enhanced High Definition, where every fantasia and character popped in Techni- color on the Large (24’ foot x 18 foot) screen, accompanied by the synchronized original score, at this lush-lawned, gracefully-covered, acoustically-perfect Pavilion, with the Henderson Symphony Orches- tra in full “enchantment” mode.

Many Children dressed as their favorite OZ character and sang with songs we all recognize over the rainbow.

It is fun to know that Baum’s mother-in-law Matilda Gage had “votes for women” politics that were incorporated by Baum into subsequent OZ books. Baum was secretary of their local Woman’s Suffrage Club where Susan B. Anthony visited and stayed with the Baums.

As a nod to the Gages’ works, in “The Marvelous Land of Oz,” women rise up (armed with knit ting needles) and succeed in making men do many household chores. The story ultimately has a fe- male, who advocates equality, selected as their leader, in 1904! Context for this author’s partial inspi ration is so sweet to enjoy.

Numerous competing theories about the meaning of OZ can be read online. They run from, it’s a commentary on the monetary system (yellow brick road as gold- backed currency) to the humbugs of politics, then, and maybe, now. The power of courage, belief, friendship and will to survive, are certainly themes to adore. The magic of his writing is that so many layers of meaning can be put on the story. And maybe, it’s just a dream, after all. The story of Baum’s ups and downs is also a good read, as is the “Annotated Wizard Of Oz,” by M.P. Hearn.

We have come a long way since imaginary knitting-needle equality uprisings, because Conducting for the magnificent Henderson Sym- phony Orchestra was the esteemed, energetic, delightful Alexandra Arrieche, who began her musical studies as a vocalist before mastering conducting and composition.

In 2013 she completed her Arts Diploma in Orchestral Conducting with Maestro Gustav Meier at Johns Hopkins’ Peabody Institute and continues to be highly sought around the musical world.

Ms. Arrieche says, “Playing in the orchestra is like being in the movie in this (film-coordinated) concert. Most of the players grew up knowing the movie. It is sweet, seeing their ‘inner kid’ coming back!” Indeed, Alexandra’s playful side shone brightly with her brilliant ruby-red, chub-heeled shoes tapping time!

Members of HSO emphasized they “have to always keep their eyes on the conductor to make sure the music matches the film.” One musical tempo-challenge comes during, “If I Only Had a Heart.” It seems Tin Woodman is slightly “rhythmically-challenged,” so the music has to be played, rather, “give and take!” What fun to know that!

Here are but a few of where Ms. Arrieche has guest conduct- ed: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Hartford Symphony, Chicago Sinfonietta, North Czech Philharmonic Teplice, Minas Gerais Philharmonic, São Paulo State University Orchestra, Porto Alegre Symphony Orchestra, and Orquesta Nacional de Mexico. She enters her third triumphant year with HSO, with many seasons to come!

Up next for HSO is their free July 7, 2018, Lake Las Vegas Celebration, 8 p.m., fireworks 9 p.m., at Reflection Bay. Go early, spaces fill quickly. www.HendersonSymphony.org

This article also appears in the Las Vegas Tribune.

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