Where do Shakespeare, pop culture, black comedy and “full-on schlock” collide? In the mind of playwright John Crutchfield. His latest production, Come Thick Night, features the story of a young woman trying to wake up from a nightmare about murdering her father. It sounds grim, but the script’s creativity, along with virtuoso performances by Laura Tratnik and Erik Moellering, promise to be riveting.
Crutchfield’s plays usually spring exclusively from his imagination, but this one is more of a pastiche. “I usually cook up my plays entirely from scratch, but here I’ve borrowed some ingredients from other sources and combined them in ways that reflect a kind of dream-logic,” explains Crutchfield. The work will include “plenty of room for the actors to contribute their own inspiration,” so expect influences from actors Laura Tratnik and Erik Moellering. The show also includes original sound design by Mary Zogzas.
The play is just one element of the Asheville Fringe Festival, a collection of cutting-edge performances designed to explore new ideas and approaches to art, dance and theater. Come Thick Night will be performed Thursday, Jan. 24 through Saturday, Jan. 26 at 9 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. at 35 Below in the Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E. Walnut St. $12. Info and tickets: www.ashevillefringe.org.
