Original musical Really Leary hits the stage January 27

Original musical Really Leary hits the stage January 27
Bob McPeek
January 2005

On October 17, as the election campaign sunk to increasingly depressing levels of spin and slander, Ron Suskind published an article entitled "Without a Doubt" in the New York Times. He quoted a senior Bush administration advisor who claimed that the Shrub and his cronies now control the very fabric of time and space: "We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality."

This was another disturbingly eerie parallel to the stage musical Really Leary, an original work which I've been laboring on for almost four years. As Media Personality Bert Clark says to the new elected president on the Disney Asteroid in the year 2052, "The president . . . with a little help from staff . . . gets to make up reality."

What I originally thought was a ridiculous satirical take on the crass arrogance and cheesy sound bytes of presidential politics winds up in the mouth of a Bushee? Maybe the CIA really does read everybody's e-mail. If so, I am in deep shit, with definitely lots of reasons to be really leery. At least I can count on some attendance from shiny black shoe government undercover agents when Really Leary (finally!) hits the stage,with performancesJanuary 27, 28, 29 and February 3, 4, 5 at the Santa Fe Building E Auditorium at 8 pm.

In a very small nutshell, Really Leary is the story of the 2052 presidential race between two cryogenically revived candidates. Walt Disney (pulled out of storage beneath Cinderella's castle) and Timothy Leary (who only froze his head, so that's all that came back) go "head to head" in the show's climax, the song-and-dance portion of"Choose Your Chief,"part reality TV/part game show and the way they choose the president in 2052 (well, that and some behind-the-scenes manipulation). Mostly, the plot is a vehicle for poking fun at sacred American cows, and to sing some really funny songs.

Here are five reasons it's worth seeing:

1. YOU WILL SEE GOD. God appears to perform Her Big Number, and also unveils the New (11^th) Commandment. Be the first on your block to sign up for the All New Morality. Plus, in addition to God, you'll see the next best thing--Tim Leary channeling the spirit of Barry White while he makes sweet virtual love.

2. REALLY LEARY ASKS IMPORTANT QUESTIONS. It starts with "Who am I and how do I know?"and just gets worse. Unfortunately, we don't provide any useful answers (how would we know?), so if you need help knowing yourself, contact the FBI.

3. REVENGE AGAINST THAT STUPID SONG. Admit it, you hate "It's a Small World After All" as much as I do. You'll savor some sweet revenge. (Sorry, we didn't get to the lampoon of "Watching Scotty Grow," so you'll have to wait for the sequel).

4. $5 FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE. After Gainesville, by invitation, we're taking the cast to the York Theatre for its off-Broadway debut on Feb 15th. The return on your measly investment is phenomenal. If you were to cryogenically freeze yourself using alternative means, the cost would be thousands more! You'll see a multi-media extravaganza with a live band, 3 screens of video pre-production, product placements and advertisements for consumables of the future, and five clones of Bill Gates, in addition to the stage action.

5. REALITY CHECK. Pride of authorship aside, I have been joined in the mayhem by director and man of a thousand voices Gregg Jones, a great cast, a talented team of graphic designers and video producers, a clever choreographer,an amazing set designer (Carlos Asse) and construction crew, and on and on. Our test reading last June was not only well-attended, but got rave reviews and a standing ovation from the audience.

So come celebrate the special creative spirit of Gainesville and find out which candidate gets elected to create an alternative reality in the future. For more information, check out two realities (one present, with details about the play; one future, with instructions for rejoining 2052's Cast Society after you've been thawed from your icy storage vault) at www.reallyleary.com.

The small print:

Really Leary uses satire and other forms of artistic expression in reference to a wide variety of issues that are central to our times. The wish is only to engender thoughtful discussion and not to offend anyone on the basis of his or her beliefs. Due to the content of the play and its adult language and situations, parents are cautioned not to bring children under 12 years of age.