A unique brand of theater will christen the Map Room Friday and Saturday nights at 11:30. University of Memphis graduate theater students Bo List and Chris Arnold will premiere their college-related Hungry Gorilla theatre company in the downtown coffeehouse. The one-act plays “Betrayed by Everyone” and “Captain Hero and the Doom Sequence” each feature U of M students.
According to “Betrayed by Everyone” actress and U of M student Jessica Jones, the new venue is a first for everyone.
“This is a brand new thing,” Jones said. “Hopefully, if it catches on, we can continue it every month,” Jones added.
Chris Arnold, director of “Betrayed by Everyone,” said Memphis theater usually centers around playhouses and colleges, but not as part of weekend entertainment.
“This is the first time there has been theater in this building, and it’s the kind of theater you won’t find other places,” Arnold said.
Co-founder of Hungry Gorilla theatre company Bo List said he had a vision to perform in the Map Room when he saw it, a beer-and-coffee joint with a beat generation feel, according to Arnold. “Betrayed by Everyone” actor Jonathan McCarter said he identifies with the character he plays as well as the space he will be performing in.
“I’ve never found a character I’m so similar to in my entire life,” McCarter said.
McCarter spent three weeks with Jones and Arnold polishing his character, a guy who gets kicked out of his house because he’s caught smoking pot. The main character stays with a friend and contemplates buying a bus ticket, until things are complicated by female lead, Jones.
The other one-act, directed by List, spotlights U of M sophomore Nick Brinker, who was Charley in “Charley’s Aunt” last year.
“It’s a great opportunity to be seen off campus,” Brinker said. “The small intimate venue is kind of different for me.”
One thing is for sure, according to Arnold: It will definitely be something different to do this weekend.
