I have very mixed feelings about The Fartiste, which was presented at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2006 and has now come to Off-Broadway. Creators Charlie Schulman (book) and Michael Roberts (lyrics and music) have found an unusual subject for a show: the story of a French entertainer named Joseph Pujol (1851-1945), whose talent consisted of farting. For a while, he was a popular novelty act, and audiences applauded his ability to create farting sounds that, by turns, could seem musical, dramatic or funny. His vogue eventually passed and he died in obscurity. The show features six singer/actors, plus Steven Scott providing the vocal sound effects (the simulated farts). Nick Wyman and Herndon Lackey, in supporting roles, give lessons in old-school showmanship that I'm glad I witnessed. They made the most of the uneven material they had to work with, and I enjoyed them very much. Kevin Kraft, playing the earnest Pujol, makes less of an impression. Schulman's book includes some funny lines. And a couple of the songs by Roberts are both melodic and intriguing (I wanted to hear more of one called "More"); but others, alas, are painfully obvious, and reminded me of the didactic, sing-songy little instructional ditties you hear on educational television shows for children. This show is far too long and self-indulgent. It is moderately diverting the first time that Scott makes a farting sound. By the fourth or fifth time, though, there is no more humor to be mined via that stunt. And yet the gag keeps being trotted out, to diminishing returns. With tightening and trimming, this show's strengths could be given greater prominence. But the show I experienced on a press night felt like a rather slight sketch being stretched well beyond its limits.
Chip Deffaa
Cabaret Scenes
October 28, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org
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