For a few years after COVID, I had no patience — squirming in my theater seat and super judgy at things that did make immediate sense. Often walking out! But somehow, I anticipate that in the dark confines of the very cool United Theatre on Broadway, the 1,600-seat legacy movie palace which, for an extended wink of an eye, was confusingly called “The Theatre at Ace Hotel,” I’ll be able to hunker down. In that historic house, I’ll imbibe singer Timur Bekbosunov’s sour arpeggios and twisted lyrics that constitute the metal rock-opera, BLACK LODGE, in its West Coast premiere.
Drawing on the disturbing mythologies of William S. Burroughs, Black Lodge uses dance, industrial rock, classical string quartet, and opera to take viewers through a psychological escape room. Set in a nightmarish place between death and rebirth, a tormented writer faces down demons of his own making. A woman is at the center of all the writer’s afterlife encounters and she materializes everywhere. Part film screening and part industrial rock opera concert, this West Coast premiere features glam opera band Timur & the Dime Museum.
To get you into the proper mood (viz., scare witless), there’s an immersive pre-show that promises to divide your soul from your body and have it whipping around the theater’s high-ceilinged mezzanine and balconies. ‘Cause, baby, this movie palace, which officially opened on December 26, 1927 with silent movie, “My Best Girl,” starring Mary Pickford and Buddy Rogers, has many bats in the belfry.
The pre-show BARDO has you wandering the dark corridors of a liminal space between life and death where lost souls linger, awaiting passage to the next realm. Oh, the shadows, tormented souls, and mystifying creatures you’ll meet! Please note that this is “you” doing it, and not “I,” because “I” am waaaay too scared. I will be waiting for “you” at the bar.
CAP UCLA, in partnership with Beth Morrison Projects
Music by David T. Little; Libretto by Anne Waldman
Story, Screenplay, Film/Stage Direction by Michael VQ
Starring Timur and the Dime Museum, Isaura String Quartet
BARDO created and directed by Sandra Powers
BLACK LODGE | United Theater on Broadway | CAP-UCLA | Saturday, October 19, 6:30 pm into the nite