IF YOU GO* What: "Roadkill Confidential" by Theater for the New South.* When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7-8, and Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 13-16.* Where: Tanner Hill Gallery, 3069 Broad St.* Admission: $15 online, $20 at the door.* Websites: BrownPaperTickets.com (tickets), www.theaterforthenewsouth.com (information).
Theater for the New South will present Sheila Callaghan's "Roadkill Confidential" in six performances over the next two weekends at Tanner Hill Gallery.
The third show of the company's third season, "Roadkill Confidential" is a noir-ish, absurdist comedy that explores the not so fine line between private vs. public roles of government and art, told through high theatrics, mixed media and an always-looming FBI agent.
Director Blake Harris says the company came across Callaghan's work during the play selection process. "Roadkill Confidential" stood out not only because of its stark individualistic tone but also because of the current government surveillance debate.
"Through this absurd piece, we as a cast and crew have been able to step back and view this debate through a completely different lens," Harris says. "We hope to share that with our audience but ultimately want them to have a theatrical experience unlike any other. Oh ... and it's funny."
Producers pledge that "while no animals will be harmed in the making of ['Roadkill'], plenty of theater conventions will be."
Sound designer Tim Hinck says the unconventional play inspired a unique direction for his work.
"The material I have created is certainly more 'cinematic' than any work I've done before," he says. "The noir label attached to 'Roadkill Confidential' has definitely affected my work for the show, but it's certainly still my own bizarre version of noir."
Featured in the cast are Conyale Grove, Matt Johnson, Kaleb Moran, Michael McCamish and Erin Ownbey.