Recent Stories with tag david nixon

David Nixon (the meaning of life not pictured)

Occasionally, you come across a piece of art that can be enjoyed even without knowing exactly where it's headed. For me, that kind of gratification--art for art's sake--can be found in the writing of Marquez, Murakami, and Borges, Meirelles' City of God, and every single episode of Arrested Development. The Annex's new solo show by David Nixon--philosophy professor, actor, musician, artistic polymath, and member of absurdist art pop theater band "Awesome"--Center-Cut Ham Dinner Night Slide Show (Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. through Nov. 17th), doesn't quite reach those artistic heights, but it aims high and delivers non-stop ruminative delights, all while making comedy out of the big questions.

Take it from a doctor of philosophy: the topic at hand is nothing less that the Meaning of Life. Is it the ability to take simple pleasure in even the smallest of moments, like a cat? Can it be found in hard work, nature, family, or religion? What about the pursuit of sex, creativity, happiness, intellectualism, and/or money? The answer, of course, is yes and no to all of the above, especially since no matter what you do, or how you find your own individual meaning, you're still going to end up dead. (Spoiler alert.)

Nixon pursues these ideas through a mixture of monologues, pre-recorded music, cartoons, digital animation, and physical humor. The show's sharp and sly nature reveals itself in the details, like the homage to the Slog (the Slög). It's clear that Nixon is always thinking, and even parts of the performance that look sloppy are actually well-coordinated and choreographed to a T. The whole piece just moves, and by the time it starts to feel like it's running long, it's over. Such is life.... (more)

Everyone loves to bitch about their job. Even if you've got the best job in the world--quality control at the kitten factory--it's still essential and cathartic to find something or someone at work to complain about. (Not any of you at The SunBreak, of course. OMG, <3 u guys, j/k!!1!) Complaining about the ins and outs of a job gives you the laser-like focus you need to win those second-prize steak knives, or at least it gives you something to talk about when you're not working--whatever it takes to run out the hours. 

The Secret Lives of My Coworkers, the Annex Theatre's new late night show (running Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 19; no show this Friday, but Saturday Nov. 6 is pay-what-you-can) keeps that all in mind, as local comedian Michele Colyn walks you through a team-building exercise in which everyone's thoughts are heard and appreciated. Yes, Powerpoint and stock photos are involved. There's a cavalcade of comedic storytellers, the roster of which switches up every night, all wearing employee badges and telling their personal tales of work woes. Don't worry, you can volunteer to share your own stories of hellish job experiences (TPS reports, office birthday parties) after the intermission.... (more)