Imperious Entertainment

I was skeptical…

He and I shared mutual friends and acquaintances. We were, at one point, part of the same college community, but his crowd was not mine. Furthermore, given my initial impression of his ostentatious, limelight eclipsing personality, it was clear to me that we were simply not meant to have had anything more between us. Then, about a month ago, I got his message.

Well, it wasn’t necessarily him who specifically extended me the invitation, but I was invited nonetheless. I don’t know if it was the obligation I felt to support him or if it was just my personal desire to indulge in my curiosity about him, and more importantly, his work, but I knew for certain that I would attend.

“one ticket for ‘Any 1 Man’ please”

Literal bus loads of people turned out for the performance. The lobby was buzzing with friends and family and as we filed into the theater and were seated, I glanced around and was sincerely impressed. Small time dreamer he was not. George Peters II was clearly a visionary. Connected, perhaps, but it takes daring and commitment to actualize a thorough vision and that is precisely what he did.

The lights when dim and suddenly he appeared on in the stands wearing what can be described as nothing more than a conservative sort of loin cloth. A vulnerable svelte brown body making his way to the stage floor below and speaking from the perspective of the biblical Adam on the loss of innocence and the weight of life’s trials.

The space went dark. And before he could reappear I jotted down only one thing: “excellence is a selfish, lonely pursuit, but someone has to do it.”

It.

He.

Was amazing.

He was excellent to me in that moment and throughout the performance. The fruits of sacrifice and commitment were so apparent and I respected him for it. Peters transformed himself four more times. Willie, the antagonized son of a distressed mother who verbally abuses him for the mistakes his father made is presented with a morbid sort of honesty. Wesley (my personal favorite) is a dazzling beacon of creative beauty and spunk who’s light is threatened by the desperate measures his parents feel they must take to try to extinguish his “deviant” sexuality. Man-Tan masquerades about in a seemingly dream-like existence challenging his onlookers to expand themselves beyond the everyday in pursuit of the dreams that will otherwise be left behind. Lastly, there is Bishop, educated, witty and homeless; a representation of the potential within each of us to go “missing” in this world. Peters portrayed each of these characters, peas of the same societal pod, with careful complexity and warm clarity.

Any 1 Man was, in a word, transforming and I hope that as his success spreads, others will be touched and changed as I was.

I was skeptical…

Today I’m proud.

Comments (4)

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written by wild cowgirl , August 17, 2007

quite a vivid nutshell.

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written by cuzzo , August 17, 2007

ditto .

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written by Brooks , August 18, 2007

your comments on this piece were not only vivid, but painfullly enticing. They make me sad that I that I am unable to share the experience.

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written by kel , August 31, 2007

I had the fortune of seeing ANY 1 MAN in Philadelphia at the Society Hill Playhouse some time ago. George was masterful in his portrayal
of the four characters, transforming himself one to another. In his most recent performance, George captures the audience by perfecting what was already astonishing. If you haven't seen the play, you've missed the opportunity to see an actor who understands
the magnitude of his craft!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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