Tom X. Chao, a long-time theater stalwart (Cats Can See the Devil, Can't Get Started) presents CALLOUS CAD, a fast-paced investigation into what constitutes fulfilling relationships
far from the usual ordinary fare. In it, a lonely man finally consummates his first and only relationship but still feels unfulfilled. Before he can lapse into solitary rumination, his despair is thoroughly and hilariously examined by a colorful interloper. Alongside Chao, comic actress Charlotte Pines (Play Dead) co-stars, performing a startling variety of roles. Also featuring Amy Virginia Buchanan. John Harlacher directs. Special video appearances by Richard Harrington, Margaret Laney, Mike Urdaneta, & Ian W. Hill.
Press quotes for Tom X. Chao:
Tom X. Chao is "a dryly funny downtown comedian."
--New York Times
"One of the smartest and most original anti-comedians around ... Tom X. Chao is a talent worth checking out."
--Theatermania (Review of Can't Get Started )
" Chao
has one of the most deliciously off-kilter senses of humor in modern theatre."
--Martin Denton (Review of The Peculiar Utterance of the Day: Live on Stage! )
"Tom X. Chao is one of our favorite local playwrights because he's like a Chinese-American Dennis Potter, hopelessly morbid with a very sharp and very dry wit."
-- NY Press
"It's charged, smart stuff.... [ Chao 's] self-depreciating revelations about his own inequities and insecurities are hilarious.... If you're looking for an anti-Fringe play, you've found it."
-- Edmonton Sun (Review of Can't Get Started; 5 "Suns" rating, Pick of the Fringe)
" Can't Get Started
is THE date play of the 2006 Fringe
juvenile, geeky, stupid, smart and a veritable hoot."
-- Edmonton Journal (* * * * 4 stars)
"New York writer Tom X. Chao is a magnificently sick man."
-- Planet S, Saskatoon (Review of Can't Get Started , Black Sheep Theatre production)
"If
you like your Fringe shows extra-fringey, you'll probably thoroughly enjoy Can't Get Started ."
--CBC Manitoba
"The show is concerned with what it's like to exist on the kamikaze lunatic periphery of theatre, where it's difficult to make anyone care about your petty, insignificant work and pettier, even more insignificant ego. It is the show's genius that in the end, against your better judgment, we do."
--NYTheatre.com (Review of Cats Can See the Devil )
Bios:
Tom X. Chao has written, performed, and produced plays and theater shows in New York City since 1996. His plays have been excerpted in monologue anthologies for actors. He is the author of short stories, satirical pieces, and arts reviews appearing in publications including the Los Angeles Reader. In addition, he has recorded and released several original songs. Tom's play, Cats Can See the Devil is published in Plays and Playwrights 2004. His short work, The Alternative Lifestyle Fair, appeared in the Ontological Theater's Tiny Theater festival in 2008. A show based on his podcast, The Peculiar Utterance of the Day: Live on Stage, debuted in the 2007 Frigid Festival. In 2006, he presented his two-character comedy, Can't Get Started, at the Edmonton fringe festival. Chao toured with his "greatest hits" show, Freak Out Under the Apple Tree, to the Montreal, Toronto, and Winnipeg fringe festivals in 2005. He has produced, written, directed, and performed theatrical works, including The Negative Energy Field and Can't Get Started, in New York City at Dixon Place, HERE, The Knitting Factory, P.S.122, Surf Reality, The Brick Theater, and on WBAI-FM, among other venues. In 1999, his play, The Universe of Despair, was selected for HERE's American Living Room Festival, a co-presentation with Lincoln Center Theater's Directors Lab. Chao previously held a residency at the Horse Trade Theatre Group. He has performed comedic monologues and sketches at numerous New York City venues.
John Harlacher (Director) is currently the Co-Director of Nightmare, New York's famed haunted attraction each year. His recent acting work includes the indie feature Love Simple, directed by Mark von Sternberg; Off-Broadway's Dog Day Afternoon, adapted by Francisco Solorzano; and the revival of Israel Horovitz's Rats. Both stage productions were produced by The Barefoot Theatre Company, of which he is a member. Directing work includes Cats Can See the Devil, written by Tom X. Chao; the Miami version of Nightmare: Ghost Stories, created by Timothy Haskell, and the feature film Urchin, which he also wrote. Released theatrically and distributed worldwide, Urchin was banned in Malaysia as a threat to culture.
Charlotte Pines (The Magical Being) is thrilled to finally be working with John and Tom on Callous Cad ! Recent credits include Margery the Boston Medium in Teller and Todd Robbins' Play Dead, and Ophelia in Hamlet. Charlotte enjoys popsicles, dancing and learning new words. Shout-outs to all her Upstate homies (518 REPRESENT!), and a huge thank you to everyone on the Callous Cad team, to all the people at HERE, and most especially to Parol, Harphod and Prince Meowrice Half-stache! Find out more at www.CharlottePines.com .
Amy Virginia Buchanan (The Magical Assistant) is a Brooklyn-based theatre artist. She has earned degrees from both the University of Kansas and Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre. She has had the honour of working with the Buran Theatre Company, Title:point Productions, Sanguine and Exit Art. This marks her first production at HERE, and she is grateful for the opportunity to be involved.
C. J. Thom (Production Manager) is a native Angeleno. He earned his BA at UCLA, majoring in American Lit & Cultures. He has written over twenty full-length plays, including: "How to Major in Foosball," "Franklin Grimes" and "Eye Tooth," many of which were staged in L.A. and San Diego , among other venues. "Eightballs," produced at The Theatres at 45 Bleecker in 2008, marked his NY premiere, both as an actor and a playwright. He is currently developing "Franklin Grimes" & "Sleeping with the Panda Bears" with directors John Harlacher & Michael LoPorto for production in 2012 . As a production stage manager he has worked on such hit shows as "Sleepwalk with Me" and "One Night Stands: Eddie Izzard." He also writes for several publications, including Ins&Outs Magazine and Culture Catch. C. J. is excited to be working with his talented friends and colleagues on "Cheerful Insanity: Chao & Katzberg in Repertory."
Josh Iacovelli (Set and Lighting Designer) is originally from NJ just outside of Philadelphia . He has a BA from Stockton College with a focus in Acting and Directing. He later attended the Actors Studio Drama School where he received his MFA in Acting. Josh has successfully produced for television, theatre and film. He has production managed such hits as Michael Birbiglia's Sleepwalk with Me (Bleecker St Theatre), and most recently Silence! (Theatre 80). He has also designed sets and lights for numerous off-Broadway shows. His most recent designs include: Teeth of the Sons ( Cherry Lane Theatre ), One Night with Fanny Brice , (St. Luke's Theatre), Zero Hour (St. Clement's Theatre & DR2), Deitrich and Chevalier (St. Luke's Theatre), Black Angels Over Tuskeegee (The Actors' Temple ), and the long-running hit, Danny and Sylvia . Josh is also the resident technical director for three off-Broadway theatres: The Players Theatre, St. Luke's Theatre and The Actors' Temple Theatre.
To learn more about Tom X. Chao, please visit:
E-mail tomxchao@gmail.com for more information
This production is a part of HEREstay, HERE's curated rental program, which provides artists with subsidized space and equipment, as well as technical and administrative support.
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