This monologue is taken from Edgar’s play The Drowning Pages, which was produced at LaMama in 2000. It is now part of the collection of poetry and prose on the album “Desire & the Sea. This version of the monologue was performed at Axis Theatre in November of last year:
The full album “Desire & the Sea” is available on Bandcamp: http://octavedoktors.bandcamp.com/
The full 2000 production of The Drowning Pages is available for viewing on YouTube:
Congratulations to Edgar and the team at Axis Theatre, in particular, Randy Sharp and Brian Barnhart, for their wonderful work in In the Park, which has been named in Hilton Als’ Best of 2014 list (http://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/good-moments-theatre-film-2014)
Als says, commenting on Okwui Okpokwasili’s Bronx Gothic and Edgar’s In the Park:
“These outstanding artists each told stories in poetic prose that was some of the best writing I read or heard all year, and brought back the reality that language is a living thing. Using their bodies to shape autobiography and myth, Okpokwasili and Oliver, although visually different, dug deep into the stage’s earth to channel emotions and information that startled us with their weight, diversity, and longing, and their sense that life is short and that there’s shame in not living it.”
In 2013, the astonishingly talented Joseph Keckler teamed up with Edgar on this video accompanying Joseph’s gorgeously haunting song “The Ride.” Take a break from your work day and ride away with them …
Ann Arbor audience members loved Helen & Edgar. Here is what some of them had to say:
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“An almost unbelievable story masterfully presented. See it!!”
“…Edgar Oliver casts an atmosphere that sticks with you long after you’ve left the theatre.”
“Brilliant storytelling, enthralling, thought-provoking performance.”
“THIS is what theatre is about. A truly moving and masterful performance. If you wonder about the health of the American theatre, go experience Mr. Oliver’s tour-de-force. It will make you believe!”
“Edgar’s childhood story was both heartbreaking and mesmerizing.”
The New York Times called Edgar’s one-man play Helen & Edgar “…utterly absorbing.”
This upcoming week, Edgar will be performing this acclaimed show at the University of Michigan’s University Musical Society (UMS) this upcoming week. Performances run from January 7-11, with two shows on Saturday January 10 and Sunday January 11.
Please visit http://ums.org/performance/helen-edgar-2/ to view showtimes and purchase tickets.
At the New Year’s Day Poetry Marathon, Edgar read I Am Lost. You can listen to it here:
You can listen to another beautiful rendition of this poem, in which Edgar is accompanied by his musical companions The Octave Doktors, here:
Enjoy, and Happy New Year!
edgar oliver 