Have you ever gone bowling and wondered “just what are those pins thinking?” Well, Gene Kato has. Denver’s own Gene Kato has written, directed, and acts in Ten Pin Alley, now playing late nights at Vintage Theatre Company, following their performance of And The Winner Is. The set up is simple – the show takes place during the ten frames of a bowling game as 10 pins stand on the lane anxiously waiting for the battle to begin, their primary objective – to stop 300. Then to stop 200, etc. The humor is bawdy, sexual, over-the-top, and non-stop and each pin takes their moment to face off with the rolling black ball – their dreaded archenemy.
Each pin also has its own personality. Pin 1 (Patrick Collins) is the Colonel, militant in his leader position and leading the troupe of pins. Pin 2 (Greg Geis) is the taunting racist pin, spouting racial slurs at the rolling black ball. Pin 3 (Samantha Yon) is the accountant, responsible for calculating probability and statistics for the game. It gets more and more over the top with Pin 7 (Stacey Nelms) the sexual, leather clad dominatrix Lesbian pin and Pin 9 (Jason Maxwell) the over-the-top Gay pin wearing a pink half shirt and glittery makeup. Then there is the Red Pin (Gene Kato) who gets randomly placed in the game in super hero fashion. That’s pretty much the entire “plot.” There really isn’t any deeper meaning or anything else I can grasp from the show. It was joke after joke, frame after frame, and then it starts all over again – much like an actual bowling game would.
There are some funny moments, and the late-night audience really enjoyed it. However, this type of show isn’t for everyone and the late night start of the show is probably best enjoyed after a few adult beverages of your choice. Personally, I didn’t find it as funny as some of the other people in the audience seemed to, but that is usually how a lot of comedies go. Not every type of comedy is suitable for every sense of humor, though I did find myself laughing out loud as the racist Pin 2 (Greg Geis) harassed the Red Pin (Gene Kato) and taunted the ball (Jim Honiotes). There was also a very funny “who’s on first” style bit between Pin 1 (Patrick Collins) and the Kato’s Red Pin. I also have to applaud Kato for the creativity and the unique perspective that this show takes. I can certainly appreciate the risk that goes into writing and directing a new work.
If you are looking for something to enjoy after a few drinks, if you enjoy bawdy humor, and if you aren’t overly sensitive then this would be a good choice.
Vintage Theatre presents
10 Pin Alley
Feb. 27 – Mar. 21
Fri/Sat at 10 p.m. after And the Winner is…
Tickets are $11
303-839-1361 or online
2119 E 17th Ave in Denver.
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Comments
This was the worst thing I've seen yet! Complete waste of time!
Carol must have the sense of humor of a dead fish. I haven't even seen the play, except the promo on YouTube and I thought that just the minute or two that was on there was hysterical. So it isn't deep and thought provoking. Does it always have to be? Comedies usually aren't. But I've got a sneaking suspicion that the few minutes that are on YouTube where the audience was darn near rolling in the aisles wasn't the only part of the play that was that funny. I've known Gene since he was in High School, he's an extremely funny individual and it took balls (no pun intended) to write this one and put it out there for public scrutiny. Get a life Carol and if you think a play is going to be not so deep and not so thought provoking and that is what you are in to, then why even bother seeing a play like this in the first place?
The WORST thing you've seen? Ever? Really?
Seriously? The worst thing yet?!? Obviously you haven't seen Mad Love. THAT's the worst thing ever. Seriously. There's no way this could be the worst thing ever. Chris O'Donnell's not even IN IT!
Carol speaks in absolutes. What an unattractive trait.
Well let's not take Carol's freedom of opinion and speech away from her, Douglass. At the same time, Carol you will have to specify why it was the "worst ever". Support you're opinion or you're just shouting at the rain. You'll also have to defend why seeing and supporting live theater is a waste of your time. Having seen the show amid other guffawing patrons and being a performer/theater person myself I can't see how seeing any production, whether you liked it or not is a waste of your time. For what the script is, did the actors do a good job? Did the designers, technicians, etc fail you in some way? Blatant and vague statements like yours are thrown around too casually especially when given about theater and other arts that people feel the need to criticize as though they are an expert.
I have to agree with Cat here. I think that the statement “worst thing ever” is quite an overstatement. Like I posted in the review, this humor in this show is not for everyone. Humor rarely is. I know many people who find Mel Brooks offensive and not funny, while I simply love him. I think that is the wonderful thing about art – any art – in that we have the absolute right to our own opinions but to criticize anyone’s art and state that it was “the worst thing ever” is too broad and too vague. What, specifically didn’t you care for? The acting? The script? You are certainly entitled to your opinion (as you read, I didn’t really find a lot of it funny either) but I think a bit of support is called for.
wow....what an objective review....nicely done. Gene gave me the script last year and I found myself sitting in a lawn chair laughing at Gene's creation. his natural since of humor is well known by his family, and something I have enjoyed since his first complete sentence at 11 months old. I am one, that is pleased when he can capture these moments on paper.
I enjoy your writing style along with your open minded comments about theatre. Your attempt to remain fair does not hide your sincere admiration for the the theatre arts....and your are completely in balance...and I thought that gift was lost to history.
I thought it was a creative and interesting take on something that is, to most people, a lifeless object. The actors did a wonderful job of bringing inanimate objects to life.
Gene's play may not be in everyone's taste but for those who do enjoy the entertainment and humor he has created will enjoy the show.
Deb wrote a fair and objective critque of Ten Pin Alley and I respect that whilst the humor in the show did not mesh 100% with her tastes she still praised the originality and humor that she did connect with and comment on other patron's level of enjoyment.
Sweeping statements, without any explanation or detail, are not helpful to the creative proceess nor do they assist in improving the writer's craft. I am actually interested to hear why you felt so strongly about the show to make the statement "worst thing I've seen yet" so please take the time to expand your critique otherwise it will just be written off by readers looking for another review of this performance.
P.S. At least you didn't say it was a waste of money - the actors still got paid regardless of your feelings about the show.
One last thing - to the actors in the show - Your performance is lively, entertaining and physically demanding and I think you all do a wonderful job of maintaining your composure (I know you want to laugh sometimes) as well as keeping the focus on the character the scene pertains to. Oh and Gene, there's some moments in the show that just stuck with me so kudos to you on a funny, creative and original show.
I would agree with Cat and Deb, there's no use in stating such a staunch opinion, and not having anything to support your side. I would completely disagree with her simple statement, though. I LOVED the show, and I think that the writing was absolutely some of the best I've seen on stage. I thoroughly enjoyed the individual characters, though one of the actors playing one left something to be desired. The scene was simply created with a score bar, and the lighting was perfect for the intimate space. I loved the wacky humor of the piece, and thought that for a comedy show, where the entire point of watching is to laugh and not necessarily have to find some deeper meaning, the show was brilliant. Many props to Gene for putting such a great new work out there, and having people as obtuse as Carol shout their thoughts back. It takes real talent and guts to write, direct, and act in such a daring piece. I would love to see more of this kind of pure humor out in the theater community. Why does everything on stage have to play to some moral cause or deeper insight? Can't we just have fun anymore? I say that the style of this piece is timed perfectly for the economic situation. In the Great Depression, people spent their money at the movies to watch flashy, pointless musicals and slapstick comedy films to escape the reality that surrounded them, and this piece does just that. I lost myself in the mayhem and humor of inanimate objects hurling racial slurs and nonsensical jokes at one another. This was pure entertainment for me, and I'd go see it another 10 times!
I think Carol's the worst name I've seen yet. A complete waste of letters!
I'm sorry... I didn't like it, what can I say. If you disagree, then you take time to say why you liked it. I don't have to justify why it was I didn't like it. Maybe "worst thing ever" was strong, but I just didn't like it. I saw Greater Tuna last weekend at Denver Victorian... that I liked and that I thought was funny. Maybe I had a traumatic bowling incident when I was younger.
I liked this show. It's the stupidest thing I have ever seen on stage. (Yes, ever.) And I laughed out loud, a LOT. AND - I agree with Carol. She doesn't have to justify her opinion in the least. She didn't like it. Simple. I like Chocolate and not Vanilla. This is not because of Vanilla's political leanings or interest in books. It just is. Deal with it.
Thanks, Bernie.
However, I do have to chime in on this again. I think the issue that is being taken is when people come in (usually on the internet where it's anonymous) make statements that are supposed to be taken as law rather than an opinion. We see this in reviews all the time. Given the state of the rapidly diminishing theatre community in Denver and since theatres are desperate for ticket sales - it's just considered courteous to at least state why. When you make a statement like that - you run the risk of really doing damage to a theatre's business. we're taught in 7th grade English classes that if you're going to state an opinion - at least give something to back it up. What a vast majority of the people who frequent these boards don't realize is the time, energy, expense, etc, etc that go into putting on a show. Also, people who are not playwrights don't get that when you pop off at a production and basically just call it "trash" that's like telling a parent they have an ugly child. While she had no obligation - it just came off as very mean-spirited. Most artists can handle criticism - but insults are a different matter.
That's not a pop shot at Carol - it just really begs the question: If you take the time to log on, to scroll down, to type a response,then make it a real RESPONSE! Whether someone likes a show or not - is not the issue - but the very things that bothered Carol about the show could either save another person from spending money unecessarily - or, drive someone who enjoys this type of humor to the show. It does the greater community a service - and we are all a part of the "community" whether we want to be or not.
All of this is really water under the bridge.
Carol - I'm sorry the show was not your cup of tea - but, I do, however, than you so very much for taking the time to come see it - and I wish you well.
P.S. I like Greater Tuna, as well. Funny stuff.
Okay, now I have to jump in here. Art is subjective and Bernie is right anyone has the right to express how they feel, sure a back up to the statement would be nice, but it is not required. I would like to know why Gene thinks that the theatre community in Denver is diminishing? do you mean in audience numbers? actors/directors/ etc? I can tell you for the theatres I have connections to, some of them are seeing some of the biggest growth we have seen. I wonder if the real question is the same one that Denver Post Theatre Critic John Moore has asked before "is there too much theatre in Denver?" in another words to many theatres going after the same pie? I personally believe that at the end of the day natural selection has and will continue to play its course and the theatres that carve out a niche' and serve their patrons well or have the biggest funds will be around for the long haul. The important thing is all of the theatres banding together and working together sharing resources to make theatre happen. If we all have patrons in our theatre we all succeed...
Hi Pat -
Gone in the last year:
Coutry Dinner Playhouse
Theatre 13
Theatre on Broadway
Three major theatres in the area. Others will no doubt follow due to the SCFD cuts coming that have been reported by the Denver Post.
Information is key -
My point is - comments like that are taken as law - not opinion. I had a disagreement with John Moore last year after 18 Holes because he spent the entire review telling me what "HE thought" the play should be - rather than reviewing it on its own merits.
Our discussion led to Curious Theatre's production of "The Goat, or Who is Sylvia". I told him that, im my opinion, he single handedly saved that production by his review. It was a great production - but . . .it was about a middle age man having an afair with a Goat. It was only when he expounded on the merits of the production - that audience were able to see that there was "more to the show than content." It's an unspoken obligation. After all - Deb's website is for REVIEWS of plays - if you take the time to comment - you should participate. Otherwise - why bother. In the grand scheme of things - no one out there really cares if you, or I, or Carol, or Bernie, or Karlene, or ANYONE personally likes a show - they come to these sites to gather information about a production. So, if you use the site - you should "contribute" to the site.
I need to slow down on the typing - the typos in my responses are killing me. :)
Mr. Kato:
I love discussions like this! I have to absolutely disagree with you about the fact that people just come to sites such as Debs for information, I believe that people take into account not only the info, but what Deb has to say as well as comments posted to make their decision about going to see a show. Market studies have shown that there are a lot of ways to raise sales and using "Pedigree" (meaning an endorsement, ie a review) is a great way to help convince a potential buyer to make the purchase.
As far as the theatres that you mention that have gone under, in my opinion (from an outsider, I have had no direct relationship with any of them besides as an audience member and the rumor mill) is that these theatres failed to be good businesses. They did not understand who their patron was (or in one case their patrons needs and wants greatly shifted)and they did not give them a product that was what they were looking for. The easiest thing for any business to increase sales is to figure out who is buying your product and then find more people just like them- the other two theatres in your example did one or both of those things terribly.
I understand that SCFD is getting cut and all of us could potentially be effected, however this is the time for all non-profits to become less reliant on outsides sources and start running businesses, and working together. As I said in my last post you are right that some theatres will just go away, but the ones that will make it will adjust to the changing climate, figure out who their client is and give them the product that client expects and then work together for the common good of the theatre community.
Ps. The reason why Goat did well at Curious and Curious continues to thrive is because they know their audience and know what their audience wants and gives it to them. It is really taht easy and if all theatres understood that you would see a lot less diminishing of theatre in Denver - at least my opinion
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