Once you're old enough, you achieve the privilege of flaunting vices as the key to long life. Mark Twain (Edwards) kept some simple vices, led an interesting and entertaining life, and wrote The Great American Novel. After that, the path to steady income lay on the lecture circuit, and we've all bought a ticket to see this great old coot. Twain regales the audience with tales of his life as a reporter, river boat captain, prospector and general Pain-in-the-Butt to polite society. |
Tenor and WPPH regular Todd Allen Long open each act with a few turn-of-the-century pop songs - "My Merry Oldsmobile", "Bird in a Gilded Cage", and my favorite "She's More to be Pitied Than Censured." (Remember, a MAN got her in that state.) It's a nice sort of a warm up, leading into Mr. Twain's entrance in a white suit, stogie, and impressive nose. In some ways, Twain did what George Carlin does - point out the absurdities of current life, and let us make up our own humorous conclusions. The talking points ramble over the face of the earth, but never confuse or bore. There's a reading of Huckleberry Finn, and comments on religion and the stock market. It's what hanging out with your grandfather might be like, if he was actually interesting.
The show is shorter than you might like, and touches on the maudlin, but Mr Edwards is completely convincing as the man who taught the world how to get others to white wash a fence while leaving you time to fish.
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