Tom Murrin’s play “Son of Cock-Strong” – A Reading by Peculiar Works Project

 

Tom Murrin‘s play “Son of Cock-Strong” (1970) was performed as a work-in-progress at The Club @ La Mama on April 26th, 2014.

Here are a few photographs from the evening’s reading with captions by Peculiar Works Project.

Ralph Lewis led Peculiar Works troupers on a wild ride to the top in Son of Cock-Strong. This non-sequel sequel (originally directed in 1970 by La MaMa bad boy John Vaccaro) follows Arthur Cock-Strong Jr.’s rise to power in a ridiculous musical with new compositions by Spencer Katzman.

Son of Cock-Strong at LaMama etc.The Son of Cock-Strong, Kevin Percival wins a musical motorcycle race as Mick Hilgers’ villain peddles on.

Son of Cock-Strong at laMama etc.Mick Hilgers lost the race but is good sport enough to join Kevin’s Cock-Strong, Jr. in a soulful duet, played by Spencer Katzman, Rob Gaines and Rob Mitzner.

2014.04.26_SonOfCkStrg_099Sylvia Milo’s flight attendant gives the boarding announcements—yes, Tom’s play takes a wild turn the airport.

2014.04.26_SonOfCkStrg_109A little girl (Caiti Lattimer) is stalked by a nefarious walkie-talkie puppet.

2014.04.26_SonOfCkStrg_118Arthur Cock-Strong, Jr. (Kevin Percival) pleads his case to Tim Cusack’s evil doctor.

2014.04.26_SonOfCkStrg_134Catherine Porter’s televangelist, St. Love, clowns for the congregation.

2014.04.26_SonOfCkStrg_159The congregation gets whipped into a joyful frenzy by Spencer Katzman’s original music with (l-to-r) Megan Cooper, Rachel Naar, Denis Gawley, Gabriele Schafer and Caiti Lattimer.

2014.04.26_SonOfCkStrg_177Kevin’s Arthur Jr. thinks we hit it on the nose, but St. Love’s hand-me-down protuberance is not long for this world.

2014.04.26_SonOfCkStrg_191Arthur Sr. and Mom died in their sleep, but Stan Baker and Megan Cooper brought them back to life.

2014.04.26_SonOfCkStrg_208In this peculiar play, one character starts as a make-up artist and ends as the President’s exercise instructor – and Joyce Miller made it work.

2014.04.26_SonOfCkStrg_213Cristi Castro as Aphasia struggles to recall the lyrics to a song she can’t sing.

2014.04.26_SonOfCkStrg_220Uncle Charlie sends everyone home happy (Gabriele Schafer, under all the hair, make-up, and Angela Harner’s costume)

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Director: Ralph Lewis

Producer: Barry Rowell

Composer: Spencer Katzman

Musical Director: Megan Cooper

Projection Designer: King Man Ho

Magic Consultant: Tom Klem

Interactivity Consultant: Jeff Wirth

Performers: Stan Baker, Cristi Castro, Megan Cooper, Tim Cusack, Rob Gaines, Denis Gawley, Mick Hilgers, King Man Ho, Spencer Katzman, Caiti Lattimer,Joyce Miller, Sylvia Milo, Rachel Naar, Kevin Percival, Catherine Porter, Gabriele Schafer

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Tom Murrin (1939–2012) was best known as a pioneering performance artist of the East Village scene, turning trash into treasure in his uniquely entertaining shows. But he began as one of the first generation of La MaMa playwrights and continued to write and present plays throughout his life. His influence on generations of artists spanning theater, performance art, and dance was profound and continues today.

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  The OBIE award-winning Peculiar Works Project creates, develops and presents original multi-disciplinary performances that are accessible and fun for diverse audiences. Since 1993, we’ve performed in unconventional spaces because we believe unique sites impact our work, the work in turn impacts the site, and audiences then experience both in surprising new ways. We encourage collaboration, experimentation and a rebel spirit in artists by providing them with the tools and opportunities necessary to develop new alternative performances. We have presented site-specific productions in landmark buildings, gutted storefronts and other peculiar sites throughout NYC.

Jim R. Moore

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Photographer/Videographer/Recluse Founder of Vaudevisuals.com