DaddyO Dies Well April 1, 2011

Legendary poet-playwright Murray Mednick directs the world premiere of the fifth installment of his eight-play "Gary Plays" cycle, a darkly lyrical comedy in which down-on-his-luck Gary takes a psychedelic Ayahuasca trip at the behest of DaddyO, his hipster stepfather. DaddyO is dying, and before he goes, he wants to help his stepson get over his problems. He invites Gary over for tea – but this is not your ordinary Earl Grey. It’s Ayahuasca, a powerful hallucinogenic favored by the indigenous peoples of South America. Under the guidance of DaddyO and Antonio the “Angel of Death,” Gary is brought to understand the pulse and power of organic life on earth in a lyrically comic return to themes explored in Mednick's earlier "Coyote Cycle." Gary’s trip takes him to the mountains and forests of South America, and the flutes and drums of the Andes complement the musicality of Mednick’s language. "The Gary Plays is one of the most engaging and ambitious local theater events of the past few seasons… Mednick’s Gary is a sort of L.A. Leopold Bloom." - 89.9 FM KCRW April 1-May 22; Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Avenue, Venice CA 90291; $25; 323-960-7724 or www.plays411.com/DaddyO

Official Website: http://www.plays411.com/daddyo