Read a poem.

Individual Artists of Oklahoma
Performance Art Committee
presents

THE COSTUME SHOP
a musical play of intimate estrangement

written & directed by

ROGER LIENKE

January 22 - 25, 1998

at the IAO Gallery
Oklahoma City, OK

The Synopsis  

The Costume Shop is a two-act musical play of intimate estrangement exploring the history of a courtship distilled into a time frame of two days. The show strips bare a budding intimacy to reveal the shadow looming behind the romance of attraction.

Jack Janus, a music business talent scout of fading influence and Ginny Marella (AKA Virginia Storm) a wannabe-more-often singer, spy each other across the aisle of a crosstown train. They then chance to meet, outside the subway stop, along the edge of a large city park. Their encounter occurs within the sidewalk domain of Louie the Shadow, a seemingly homeless and enigmatic vagrant.

Louie, with multiple identities that will later be revealed, has a mysterious insight into the relationship between Jack and Ginny. He serves as the “window” through which the developing connection between the two would-be-lovers is witnessed. A three-character Street Chorus contributes depth and perspective to the unfolding of the story.

After sparking each other’s interest, Jack and Ginny discover they are both headed to the costume shop (The House of Secrets) where Jack plans to shop, and Ginny works and lives. There they enter a world of role-play as they try on costumes for a music business soiree the next evening, a business obligation into which Jack has now invited Ginny.

Will Jack and Ginny emerge from their version of show business “Show and Tell” into a real intimacy or will they disappear into a shared injury? The answer to that question is what the audience is asked to consider. One thing is certain — the way out is through.