by Pamela Herrington
Daily Lobo
Where did America go wrong? The Dramatic Universal Movement or D.U.M., explores this question through a collection of skits called "George W. D.U.M., An Enchanting Evening of Freedom Comedy" at the Vortex Theatre.
"The show is about the randomness of everyday life in America and how everyday we all make something of nothing," founder Ryan Denmark said. "So we decided to make an hour of nothing."
The show got its start at the Reptilian Lounge, as part of a late night comedy show at Tricklock Performance Space. Denmark, Jason Witter and Phillip Hughes worked together to produce outrageous comedy skits.
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Huges said the group originally started performing under a different name but later switched it to D.U.M. because newspapers wouldn't print it. As it exists today, D.U.M. officially came into being at Tricklock Performance Space last summer.
"It's an hour of stuff that we find funny," Hughes said. "It doesn't really matter if anyone else finds it funny, but we amuse ourselves."
For this show, D.U.M. has enlisted the help of three other UNM students - Dusty McGowan, Lee Francis and Ray Welt as well as performer/playwrights Scott Bryan and Scotty Parr.
When asked what makes this show unique, Denmark said that the show is a collection of pieces based solely on "raw comedy." He encourages people to enjoy this as pure comedy rather than look for a complex plot.
"If you're coming because you're looking for a really deep message, it's not going to work out for you," Denmark said.
The troupe plans to present a hectic and hilarious performance.
"Come for fun and also for the kinetic experience of it, because it's very fast and out of control," Denmark said.
Audiences should expect to see a wide variety of skits and might even consider seeing the show more than once.
"There's room for us to play around with it, so it could be a different show every night," Witter said.
D.U.M. is attempting to make a break with traditional theater and takes it upon itself to "make fun of people who take themselves too seriously," Hughes said.
D.U.M. hopes to present a different style of theater to its audience and subvert classical theater norms.
"People should come see the show if they've ever been to theater and didn't enjoy themselves," Denmark said. "This show would make most people who love theater cry." Although hip-hop group Ancient Alienz was scheduled to perform, the band will be unable to attend. Still, original music by Bryan will be part of the show.
When asked what upcoming projects D.U.M. has planned, Denmark said, "We plan on doing a bit of drinking."
"That's an ongoing project," Witter said.
The play opens on Friday and runs through Aug. 31. Friday and Saturday performances will be at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 6 p.m. General admission tickets are $10. Student and Senior tickets are $8. The Vortex Theater is at 2004 ´ Central Ave. SE. For more information contact 247-8600.
