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REVIEW: The global power of drums - 8/13/2008 12:08 pm

Take advantage of scholarships at Alaska Dance Theatre - 8/11/2008 1:33 pm

REVIEW: Wilco outpours the rain - 7/27/2008 3:24 am

Mini-review: Imagination meets satire in Mamet's one-acts - 7/25/2008 3:31 pm

Painters in the elements - 7/24/2008 2:50 pm

Did you see Elmo? - 7/16/2008 6:01 pm

Head's up: National spoken word marvel puts on workshop at Out North - 7/14/2008 2:43 pm

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HEAD'S UP: Pamyua at the Heritage Center - 7/11/2008 1:30 pm

REVIEW: THE HEAD THAT WOULDN'T DIE - 7/6/2008 6:11 pm

FIRST FRIDAY RAMBLES - DID YOU SEE THE SHOW? - 7/4/2008 10:51 am

HEAD'S UP: Poetry Parley on Wednesdays - 6/30/2008 4:04 pm

REVIEW: A partly cloudy solstice with Third Eye Blind - 6/22/2008 3:29 am

REVIEW: Showman Trombone Shorty brings the crowd to its feet - 6/19/2008 11:31 am

Mini Review: Inaugural Spenard jazz festival packs the house - 6/17/2008 12:31 am

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Mini-review: Imagination meets satire in Mamet's one-acts

Posted by arts_reviews

Posted: July 25, 2008 - 3:31 pm

Alaska Theatre of Youth began its Festival of Plays with two twisted one-acts by David Mamet, "The Poet and the Rent" and "Revenge of the Space Pandas."

Hard to say which takes the strangest turn, the overwrought story of a young artist confronting creativity through the ridiculous woes of poverty muddled by the throes of morality, or the trippy take on relativity via space pandas and a two-time clock.

Some of the young actors spoke too softly or too quickly Thursday morning, but simple staging and over-the-top antics clarified Mamet's stream of thought, not to mention the performers' enthusiasm.

Look for more ATY plays through July 27 at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. Weekend showings include "The Magic Flute" at 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and noon Sunday; "Twelfth Night" 4 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday and 8 p.m. Sunday; "Willy Wonka, Jr." at 6 p.m. Friday, 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday; Mamet's one-acts at noon Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday and Bohemian Rhapsody at 4 p.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for children at the door.

If you see an ATY play, post your comment here.

--Dawnell Smith


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