ANNAPURNA -- ROD GNAPP AND DENISE CORNIER - MAGNIFICENT!

Rod Gnapp wearing nothing but a tiny Apron. Photo By: Jennifer Reiley

ANNAPURNA

A WORLD PREMIERE THAT IS CRAZILY INVENTIVE - MAGNETIC 

HOLY CRRRAP! ROD GNAPP AND DENISE CORMIER BRING DOWN THE HOUSE!!! 

It’s not very often that you come across a script that is this explosive. Right from the very beginning, as you look at the messy shabby Trailer Home you feel trapped by some magnetic force.

Rod Gnapp pounces on us right from the beginning. He’s touch irresistible and cantankerous. But there he is – pretty much nude in front of us, except for a small little Apron to cover the Jewels. When he turns his back on us – we get more revealing peeks.

His ex wife suddenly after many years, is knocking at the door. She is appalled by the conditions that he is living in. There is a love hate magnetism going on here. It’s a dance act of falling out of love, but yet -- there is still something there. They can’t let go. Rod Gnapp tells it all, with his eyes, his body language and his inward glances.

There are moments when you get the feel of “Cat On a Hot Tin Roof” as the two lovers who can’t let go manage to irritate and uncover depths of emotion that they probably should not uncover … at least not to each other.

They thought that they could never put their lives back together – and maybe they won’t.  Seldom has a script resonate so many good and bad feelings.

Knapp is a rough and tumble guy. Gutsy, funny and charming at times – but watch out, because he can turn into a sly and slick manipulator who is warm and charming one moment and the next -- he is cold blooded and uses the ‘F’ word more than once. Emma (Denise Cormier) is not exactly an Angel.

She shouts out: -- Emma:-- “You know what you are? Do You?” Ulysses (Rod Gnapp): “ Yeah! I’m a ‘F…. n’ Zen Master!”

Emma: - “You’re…defiantly impoverished! It’s like anything you get. That makes anything better --  You’ve got to ‘Sh-t’ all over it!”

Annapurna is the most electrifying play of the year -- and the Actors, Denise Cormier and Rod Gnapp who play Emma and Ulysses made Sharr White's words, light up like firecrackers. I felt the heat.

Rod Gnapp is one of the best Actors in his generation. He’s one of the most important Actors around. You MUST see this remarkable play at the Magic Theater.

AT THE MAGIC THEATER AT FORT MASON

(((RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! (highest rating) – trademarked-))) 

FOLLOW LEE: Twitter @ Famereporter 

Facebook @ Lee Hartgrave 

www.beyondchron.org.