Wake Up And Smell The Coffee Eric Bogosian
Introduction
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee is a one-man show written and performed by Eric Bogosian. The show was premiered in 2000 and was directed by Jo Bonney. The show is a combination of monologues and performance art, focusing on the American culture and society.
Eric Bogosian
Eric Bogosian is an American actor, playwright, novelist, and performance artist. He was born on April 24, 1953, in Woburn, Massachusetts. Bogosian is best known for his one-man shows, in which he performs monologues that are often critical of American culture and society.
Monologues
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee features several monologues performed by Eric Bogosian. The monologues are a mix of humor, satire, and social commentary. Some of the monologues in the show include:
- "Talk Radio" - a monologue about a controversial radio talk show host
- "Bottleman" - a monologue about a man who collects bottles and cans for a living
- "Food" - a monologue about America's obsession with food
- "Suicide" - a monologue about a man who attempts suicide
Performance Art
In addition to the monologues, Wake Up and Smell the Coffee also features performance art pieces. The performance art pieces are often abstract and surreal, and they explore themes such as consumerism, sexuality, and violence. The performance art pieces in the show include:
- "The Credit Card Dance" - a performance art piece about the dangers of credit card debt
- "The Kiss" - a performance art piece about intimacy and connection
- "The Gun Dance" - a performance art piece about the American obsession with guns
Themes
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee explores several themes related to American culture and society. Some of the themes in the show include:
- Consumerism - Wake Up and Smell the Coffee critiques America's obsession with consumerism and materialism.
- Violence - Several monologues and performance art pieces in the show explore the theme of violence in American culture.
- Identity - Wake Up and Smell the Coffee questions the idea of American identity and what it means to be an American.
- Media - The show is critical of the media and its impact on American culture and society.
Critical Reception
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised Bogosian's performance and the show's social commentary, others criticized the show's lack of coherence and structure. Despite the mixed reviews, Wake Up and Smell the Coffee remains a significant work in Bogosian's career and in the world of performance art.
Conclusion
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee is a thought-provoking and often controversial one-man show that explores several themes related to American culture and society. Eric Bogosian's performance and the show's mix of monologues and performance art make it a unique and unforgettable theatrical experience.