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Joe Frank in Los Angeles 5/15/04
In Joe Frank's short film "The Hitchhiker" Joe pulls over to the side of a highway after spotting a young woman sitting on her suitcase . . .
. . . she refuses his offer.
Joe Frank with Director Tony Abatemarco at the Natural History Museum
Dancer Tara Nicole Hughes
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May 15, 2004 - performance SOLD OUT!
Joe treated us to surrealistic, thought-provoking monologues along with a few surprises at the Jean Delacour Auditorium, Natural History Museum, Los Angeles, California.
The show consisted of 5 performing groups: Cut Chemist, SuperNova Quartet, Stephen Dewey and Machine Head, Tommy G and Joe Frank's group in a piece called, "LA Woman."
Joe began with the story (modified slightly) that opened his performance at the Evidence Room on April 9th (cash in hand, a young admirer visits a porn star). He recounted an argument with his girlfriend about his compulsive infidelities, particularly with women half his age. For the first time he revealed his "feminine side" -- in a voice that resembled "Dame Edna on steroids" -- which was engaged in furious verbal combat with his masculine side. This was followed by an ode to Woman in some of her guises: as house-keeper, cheerleader, hospital nurse, sports car driver, flight attendant and streetwalker.
At this point, Joe narrated a silent film, directed by Paul Rachman, concerning Joe's comic, doomed pursuit of a beautiful hitchhiker.
The show concluded with a monologue on the pain of love.
The dancer, Tara Nicole Hughes, perfectly embodied the subtle, strong and vulnerable woman we imagine in many of Joe's most intimate stories. She performed beautifully and brought the show to a powerful conclusion.
During the dance sequences, Ed Valfre played flugelhorn, exquisitely accenting the signature Joe Frank music.
Earlier that evening, performers were told there would be no curtain calls until the end of the show, when, all together, they would appear on stage. When Joe's piece ended, however (he was the third act), the audience erupted in cheers and applause which continued for so long that Joe had to be summoned from the "green room" to take a bow in order to quiet the audience and permit the show to continue.
For more information, visit the web site: LA Live! LA light / motion / dreams
Musician Ed Valfre and Dancer Tara Nicole Hughes
