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SHOWS
 |
...they took
the
art |
A Colossal Extravaganza on a
"less-than-lavish" Scale
written and directed by Thomas Q. Morris, lyrics by
humorist, Greg Keeler
and starring the Vigilante Theatre Company
In the wildly comical musical adventure, The
Clark and Lewis Show, the Vigilante Theatre
Company braves uncharted theatrical waters with a
humorous take on one of the greatest adventures in
American history. They illuminate the epic quest of
Lewis and Clark with a touch of vaudeville and a
pinch of pageantry, all wound up in a cleverly spun
tale. This voyage wends its way through romantic
fables and bounces off unexpected obstacles to
create a historical perspective like no
other.
Billing
the play as A Colossal Extravaganza on a "Less than
Lavish" Scale, the Vigilantes let the story of Lewis and
Clark rest in the hands of a motley assortment of
well-meaning history buffs who go to hilarious lengths to
pay their respects to their fur-bearing forebears. Featuring
an aspiring weather man and an afflicted sound technician,
and presided over by a matronly queen bee organizer, the
fictitious cast of characters find their low-budget "Lewis
& Clark Rediscovery Chapter" fund raiser on rocky
terrain.
Like their explorer heroes, the plucky group of amateurs marches doggedly into the unexpected despite unforeseen challenges. But with resolute fortitude and help from locally grown prodigies, the show goes on. The unlikely ensemble enlists the assistance of such ready talents as a duo of Cheerleaders from Mandan, North Dakota and the "Harmony Hunters of the Highline" barbershop quartet to keep the show on course.
The
Native American presence in the play, (with the exception of
Sacagawea) is portrayed by nine-foot-tall puppets created by
costumer, Denise Massman. Massman, who has worked most
recently with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, is known for
the ambitious and boldly colorful visions that she brings to
life. Massman's fine art background and whimsical theatrical
sense add a magical texture to her work that fits
tongue-in-groove with Thomas Q. Morris' brilliant physical
comedy.
A long-term fascination with the explorer adventurers Lewis and Clark and an itch to get his hands back into another big, broad Vigilante comedy lured Thomas Q. Morris temporarily to Montana to write and direct The Clark & Lewis Show. Morris, recently named one of Montana's 100 most influential theatre artists of the century, toured 16 summers with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, first as an actor and later as a director. He recently starred alongside Anthony Hopkins in the feature film, Instinct, and appeared in Bill Pullman's TNT network remake of The Virginian. He also directed and co-wrote the Vigilante hit, WUF!, with Greg Keeler.
The Clark & Lewis Show is Keeler's fifth collaboration with the Vigilante Theatre Company. His plays; WUF!, Rewinding Montana, FTV: The Fishing Channel, and Aliens and Canadians; have received enthusiastic acclaim throughout the Northwest. Loved by audiences for a hilariously off-kilter sense of humor and an unfailing poetic ear, Keeler's songwriting elevates the mundane to celebrity, and exposes the goofiness within the magnificent. Keeler, a professor of English at Montana State University, is best known for his published poetry, satirical songwriting and recent landscape paintings.
With all this talent supporting them, the Vigilante acting company paddles The Clark & Lewis Show throughout the Northwest region and along the Missouri corridor.
(These clips are performed by the songwriter Greg Keeler - in the show they are sung by the Vigilantes)
Corps of Discovery Rag ~ Ride the Wide Music ~ Native American Welshmen