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Panichorea
by
Richard Hinojosa
Author: Richard Hinojosa
Description: A multi-media political/social satire that lampoons our paranoid and greedy reactions to a fabricated crisis that is played out in a series of related comic sketches and news reels.
First Produced: 2002
Date Added: 6/16/2011
Content Advisory: Strong Language, comic violence
Keywords:
Satire/Parody ·
Religion and Spirituality ·
Requires/Supports Sophisticated Multimedia/Technical Elements ·
9/11 ·
Politics ·
Anti-War ·
Postmodern ·
Mostly Male Characters ·
Large Cast Size
1 Act, 60 Minutes
6 Females, 14 Males
NOTE: Panichorea is fully protected by copyright law and is subject to royalty. All inquiries concerning production, publication, reprinting or use of this play in any form should be addressed to hinojosa.richard@gmail.com.
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Original Production Information
Panichorea was first presented by The KAiROS! Co., as part of the New York International Fringe Festival in 2002 at the Kraine, with the following cast and credits:
Cast: Teresa Ryno, Clint McCown, Joseph Langham, Richard Hinojosa
Director:
Richard Hinojosa
Costumes: Katherine Decker
Lights/Sounds Op: Rik Sansone
Videographer: Joseph Langham
Stage Manager: Mark McGriff
Review by Jeffrey Lewonczyk
Paranoia, stupidity, and
the popular delusion of crowds are classic themes for satire, themes
that America just so happens to have experienced in spades over the past
year. By taking them on in their sharp new show, Panichorea, the
KAiROS! Co. risks offending wide sections of the populace still stinging
from the roller coaster of recent events. But in shrewdly adopting a
framework that sidesteps the whole issue of the WTC attacks, focusing
instead on the aftermath of media, public, and institutional panic in
the face of the unknown, Panichorea will only give offense to
those who deserve it.
The show’s title refers to a mysterious disease that the newscasters
(who appear in recurring video supplements) tell us has been spreading
through the nation via Colombian coffee. In a series of scenes that
display the response to the unfolding events as they spread from the
average schmos watching TV through the medical community, corporate
America, religious establishments, and the government, the show manages
to snipe at the zealousness of corporate sponsorship, the bomb-happy
follies of American foreign policy, the ability of sex to sell
anything, and the need for people in fear to grab hold of a God, any
God (even if it just turns out to be a table). The clever writing
(courtesy of Richard Hinojosa) creates a cohesive world in which nothing
is sacred and nothing is certain: coffee represents both anthrax and
foreign oil; doctors both exacerbate and soothe the panic; disaster is
both bad and good for business. There are also a lot of fart jokes.
The performers (Hinojosa, Joseph Langham, Clint McCown, and Teresa Ryno)
are a beautifully tight ensemble, and they are each equally at home in
the wacky roles AND the straight roles. Everyone gets a chance to flaunt
their stuff, and they take full advantage. (Highlights include
Hinojosa’s happy-go-lucky conspiracy theorist; Langham’s
Crocodile-Hunter-esque Johnny Prevention; Ryno’s narcoleptic, cranky old
bag; and McCown’s senile, Jimmy-Stewart-inspired General, who presides
over a particularly scathing military tribunal.) My only caveat is that
I experienced fewer true belly laughs than I expected, but that seems a
quibble. Overall, the show is whip-smart, funny, and slick (in the good
way). I left not exhausted from laughter, but satisfied that someone has
addressed current events with imagination and panache. And fart jokes.
reviewed at the 2002 New York International Fringe Festival
Excerpt from Panichorea
GENERAL
I know he’s not from here. He don’t even speak English.
TOMAS
But I am speaking English.
GENERAL
What was that about English? You better not be insulting our God-given language, son, or I’ll take you out and shoot you right now.
CLERK
He said he’s speaking English sir.
GENERAL
Well, I can’t understand a word he’s saying. Ask him if he’s understands the charges against him.
TOMAS
Yes I do, but how can I be guilty of treason when…
GENERAL
Quiet! The Lieutenant was asking you a question. Go ahead Lieutenant.
CLERK
Do you understand the charges against you?
TOMAS
Yes, but I’m innocent of all charges. Especially treason. I’m not even from this country. This is ridiculous.
GENERAL
What’d he say?
CLERK
He says this is ridiculous, sir.
GENERAL
Ridiculous huh!? You’re the one who’ll look ridiculous with your brains splattered all over the wall! Lieutenant, shoot this man!
CLARK.
Sir, we’re not allowed to shoot them right here in the court room.
GENERAL
When the hell did they make that rule?
CLERK
Recently, sir.
GENERAL
Damn it! How am I supposed to judge these people if I can’t shoot’em.
