The leading
Native American
theatre company
in America,
Native Voices at
the Autry,
presents Tales
of an Urban
Indian, now on
stage at the
intimate 207
seat Wells Fargo
Theatre, part of
the Autry
National Center.
Native Voices,
now in their
10th year, is
dedicated to
developing and
producing new
works for the
stage by Native
American
playwrights.
Tales of
an Urban Indian
certainly fits
the bill.
Acclaimed
Canadian actor
and playwright
Darrell Dennis,
also a Second
City Alumni,
relates a
semi-autobiographical
tale about a
young Indian man
Simon Douglas,
and the trials
and tribulations
of his back and
forth journey
from the Reserve
to the city of
Vancouver.
Darrell, (Simon
in the piece),
is a
contemporary
Indian, a member
of the Secwepemc
Nation, an
indigenous
people residing
in the interior
of British
Columbia. His
one man account
is about his
unique brand of
culture shock as
he moves in and
out of two
worlds,
questioning
where he best
fits in. It is
at times sad and
often times
funny. Simon can
be quite self
deprecating
while weaving
the details of
his journey
together, those
of discovery, of
his choices and
eventually, of
his
self-respect.
Clich's are
tempered with
charm,
stereotypes
peppered with
truth, honesty
and pain. In the
end, all is
exposed.
The production
values are
down-to-earth
and simple, as
is the staging.
It really is all
about the story,
and Simon's
journey. In the
usual custom of
the one man
show, Darrell
plays all the
characters, from
his protagonist
Simon to his
best friends on
the Reserve to
his wise old
Indian grandma.
Backstage called
Tales of an
Urban Indian, "a
searing blend of
anger, pride,
and resolution."
Though they were
referring to the
journey of
Simon, and in
reality Darrell,
you just may
feel all such
things too while
participating in
this intimate
and honest night
of theatre.
- Fallon
Milligan
What:
Tales of an
Urban Indian Where:
Wells Fargo
Theater, Autry
National Center,
4700 Western
Heritage Way, LA When:
Previews March
11 & 12 8pm,
March 13 2pm.
Show opens March
13 8pm; runs
March 13-28.
Thursdays,
Fridays, and
Saturdays
8:00pm;
Saturdays &
Sundays 2:00pm Tickets:
$20; $12 for
Autry members Info:
www.ticketweb.com;
866.468.3399;
www.NativeVoicesattheAutry.org
