Photos: Curious Theatre vs. Buntport at “Smackdown-A-Mania”

Professional Scandinavian wrestler Lute-Fist (a.k.a. Erik Edborg) takes on an Invisible Giraffe at "Smackdown-A-Mania." Photo by John Moore.

By John Moore

Sept. 20, 2012

“Wrestlers” from the Curious and Buntport theater companies joined local comedians on Wednesday for “Smackdown-A-Mania,” a ridiculous night of silliness filled with spandex, swerves  and several incidents of … self-flagellation.

The night was part of Curious Theatre’s “urban adventures” series, designed not only to promote current programming but to allow new people to discover the company. Curious is currently staging the innovative wrestling drama “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” through Oct. 13. It then moves to Colorado Springs’ TheatreWorks from Oct. 19-Nov. 11.

Hellcat Hartwell with his manager, Luther (a.k.a. Josh Hartwell and Jim Hunt) before his title Jell-O thumb-wrestling match against Philip (Not The Author) Roth (a.k.a. Brian Colonna) at “Smackdown-A-Mania.” Photo by John Moore
World Leg Wrestling Champion Nacho Ass Whippin’ (a.k.a. Hannah Duggan) at “Smackdown-A-Mania.” Photo by John Moore
Professional Scandinavian wrestler Lute-Fist (a.k.a. Erik Edborg) takes on an Invisible Giraffe at “Smackdown-A-Mania.” Photo by John Moore
“Smackdown-A-Mania” co-host GerRee Hinshaw, of Freak Train. Photo by John Moore
“Smackdown-A-Mania” co-host Erin Rollman, of Buntport Theater. Photo by John Moore
Philip “Not the Author” Roth (Brian Colonna) weighs in at “Smackdown-A-Mania.” Photo by John Moore
Comedian Mara Wiles. Photo by John Moore
Jess Robblee wrestles with herself, literally and metaphorically, at “Smackdown-A-Mania.” Photo by John Moore
Karen Slack brings the Jell-O to the Jell-O wrestling. Photo by John Moore
Ed Cord as the worst wrestling fan in the world. Photo by John Moore
Old Glory came out on top in the “legit” wrestling match of the night. Photo by John Moore
Comedian Abbey Jordan. Photo by John Moore
Kathryn Gray and her canine pal whip up the crowd at “Smackdown-A-Mania.” Photo by John Moore
A smackdown between “Smackdown-A-Mania” co-hosts Erin Rollman, left, and Freak Train’s GerRee Hinshaw. Photo by John Moore
Improv comedian Libby “Liberty” Gordon. Photo by John Moore
Lute-Fist (a.k.a Erik Edborg) and Nacho Ass Whippin’ (a.k.a. Hannah Duggan) at “Smackdown-A-Mania.” Photo by John Moore
Hellcat Hartwell with his manager, Luther (a.k.a. Josh Hartwell and Jim Hunt) before his title Jell-O thumb-wrestling match against Philip (Not The Author) Roth (a.k.a. Brian Colonna) at “Smackdown-A-Mania.” Photo by John Moore

 

More coverage:

Fall 2012 most intriguing titles, No. 1: Curious Theatre’s “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity”

Our review: Thought-provoking, blood-pumping, high-decibel theater

 

Where: In Denver: Through Oct. 13 at 1080 Acoma St.

In Colorado Springs: Oct. 19-Nov. 11 at the Dusty Loo Bon Vivant Theater, 3955 Regent Circle, corner of Union and Austin Bluffs Parkway on the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs campus

 

Performance times: In Denver: 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays in Denver

In Colorado Springs: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays;  4 p.m. Sundays

Tickets: In Denver: $25-$44
In Colorado Springs: $35 reserved; Children under 16 $15; UC-CS Students free
Contact: In Denver: 303-623-0524 or curious’ home page

In Colorado Springs: 719-255-3232 or theatreworks’ home page

By John Moore

Award-winning arts journalist John Moore was named one of the 12 most influential theater critics in the United States by American Theatre Magazine during has 12 years at The Denver Post. Hen then created a groundbreaking new media outlet covering Colorado arts an culture as an in-house, multimedia journalist for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. He also founded The Denver Actors Fund, a nonprofit that has raised more than $600,000 for theatre artists in medical need. He is now a journalist for hire as the founder of Moore Media Colorado. You can find samples of his work at MooreJohn.Com. Contact him at culturewestjohn@gmail.com