Welcome to Deus County. Winning a 2011 Ivey Award for "Best Overall Performance," The 7-Shot Symphony (aka The Kickass Cowboy Show) is an explosive mix of performing arts, live music, and unbridled imagination. Completely tipping the scales of creative ingenuity, this mash-up of epic myths and gritty cowboys has wowed audiences from Minneapolis to Miami. 7 actors play 47+ characters with the ferocity of a Spaghetti Western film come-to-life and is scored by bluegrass band Tree Party in whose live soundtrack puts a fresh twist on ol' timey chug-a-chugs.
Performed without a complicated set or props, The 7-Shot Symphony (aka The Kickass Cowboy Show) places focus on the actors' bare ability to illuminate a world of richly filled images "in such the way that Quentin Tarantino would decide to stage a play." Hailed as "avant-garde for the masses," The 7-Shot Symphony (aka The Kickass Cowboy Show) intertwines seven classic myths from around the world against the backdrop of America's epic Old West, a setting of superhuman strength, heroism, and comeuppance. Mayor "Gil" (-gamesh) oversees the territory, Sheriff Odin enforces the peace, and Fenrir the Outlaw, known only as "the Wolf," wreaks havoc. Other locals include Orpheus the Saloon Piano Player, Masamune the Gunsmith, Anansi (a.k.a. Spider the Gambler), and Hades, owner of the infamous outlaw hangout, "The Underworld Saloon." As epic themes feed mythic tales, The 7-Shot Symphony (aka The Kickass Cowboy Show) swells with stories fueled by fate, duty, love, legend, and corruption that stems from power, revealing their relevance today. Creating visually entertaining and emotionally insightful storytelling, Live Action Set builds upon its roots in dance, continues its tradition of physical theater, and infuses elements borrowed from cinematography, Italy's Commedia dell'Arte, and France's trateau traditions, and Saturday morning cartoons.
"The love child of Quentin Tarantino and Cirque du Soleil..."
Mark Benzel ........................ performer
Travis Bolton ....................... musician
Andy Carroll ....................... musician
Joey Ford ............................. performer, musician
Damian Johnson ................ performer
Emily King .......................... performer
Dustin Suggs ....................... performer
Derek Trost .......................... musician
Jenna Wyse ......................... performer, musician
Ryan Underbakke .............. director and co-writer
Matt Spring ......................... co-writer
Mandi Johnson .................... costume designer
Debbie Tallen ....................... lighting designer
Amelia English ..................... stage manager, haberdasher
Noah Bremer ........................ producer, creative guide
Joanna Harmon ................... producer, creative guide
Lisa Bol .................................. marketing assistant
Marc Bohn ............................. standy-by musician
Anne Blessing ........................ seamstress
Lydia Bolder ......................... seamstress
Kristina Fjellman .................. seamstress
William Harmon .................. admin. and tech. assistant
Joanna Harmon ................... marketing designer
Eric Melzer ............................. photographer
Tyler Olsen ............................ administrative assistant
Noan Bremer ......................... manager
Joanna Harmon .................... manager, marketing design
William Harmon ................... lighting designer
Arts Louisville
Cherry and Spoon
Chicago Reader
Chicago Stage Review
Lavender Magazine
MinnPost
MN City Pages
MPR
Naples Daily News
TC Daily Planet
TC Theater Connection
Time Out Chicago
Theatre Louisville
Overall Excellence
Ivey Awards, 2011
Outstanding Achievement in Stage Movement
Lavender Magazine, 2011
pictured: Jenna Wyse, Joey Ford, Mark Benzel, Damian Johnson, Dustin Suggs, Matt Riggs, Emily King
pictured (back row to front): Matt Spring, Joey Ford, Andy Carroll, Matt Riggs, Travis Bolton, Noah Bremer, Debbie Tallen, Dustin Suggs, Ryan Underbakke, Amelia English, Jenna Wyse, Damian Johnson, Emily King, Mark Benzel, Joanna Harmon, Regina Marie Williams (presenter)
photo: Eric Melzer
pictured: Jenna Wyse, Joey Ford, Mark Benzel, Damian Johnson, Dustin Suggs, Emily King, Matt Riggs
photo: Noah Bremer
pictured: Travis Bolton, Jenna Wyse, Joey Ford, Damian Johnson, Dustin Suggs, Emily King, Matt Riggs, Mark Benzel
photo: Eric Melzer
pictured: Dustin Suggs, Joey Ford, Matt Riggs, Mark Benzel
photo: Eric Melzer
pictured: Jenna Wyse, Joey Ford, Dustin Suggs
photo: Noah Bremer
pictured: Andy Carroll, Jenna Wyse, Derek Trost, Travis Bolton
photo: Eric Melzer
pictured: Joanna Harmon, Derek Trost, Jenna Wyse, Dustin Suggs, Damian Johnson, Noah Bremer, Ryan Underbakke, Emily King, Travis Bolton, Mark Benzel, Matt Riggs, Joey Ford, Andy Carroll
photo: Eric Melzer
design: Emily King and Ryan Underbakke
photo: Eric Melzer
design: Joanna Harmon