Quirky Lafayette play festival 'Tut Uncommon' brings out the farce in pharaoh

Nov. 9—Theater Company of Lafayette (TCL) — an organization with a long history of hosting original works — kicked off a fresh play festival inspired by Egyptian royalty last week.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tut's tomb by archaeologist Howard Carter, playwright C.P. Stancich suggested the local theater company pay homage to the pharaoh — who enjoyed hunting ostriches so much that he was buried with a fan made of their smooth feathers.

Stancich is one of seven playwrights who crafted an original production loosely inspired by the unearthing of the famous "boy king" who took the throne at age 9. In his production "Pledge Drive," about a PBS pledge drive gone awry, King Tut is depicted as a temperamental teen.

TCL's previous festivals have consistently featured inventive productions inspired by a wide range of topics, and this one certainly follows suit with playwrights delivering plenty of quirky theatrics.

"We've done several themed play festivals over the years," said Madge Montgomery, artistic director of TCL, who spearheaded the latest project. "Previous topics include Frankenstein, Edvard Munch's iconic painting 'The Scream' and Sputnik (the satellite). We love being a hub of innovation and new voices, and we embrace our identity as 'the little theater that could.'"

Performances run through Nov. 19 at TCL's home base, the historic Mary Miller Theater — located at 300 E. Simpson St. in Lafayette.

Tickets for the cleverly named "Tut Uncommon" play festival are $18-$23. On Nov. 17, folks are invited to attend at a pay-what-you-can rate.

Montgomery recalls her fascination with Egypt starting at a young age.

"I remember studying the topic of Ancient Egypt in fourth grade and spending hours creating a model of the Great Sphinx of Giza out of paper mache," Montgomery said. "It wasn't a particularly accurate representation, but it sparked my lifelong passion for Egyptology."

Her love of obelisks, mummies and the Nile was further ignited by what she saw on the big screen and at a museum exhibit decades ago.

"As a fan of the monster movies from Hollywood's Golden Era, I was mesmerized by Boris Karloff's 'The Mummy,' which is both strange and terrifying," Montgomery said. "And in 1978 I lined up with everyone else to see 'Treasures of Tutankhamun' in Seattle and was awestruck by the exhibit."

One of the plays by Emily Golden, "Work Death Balance," follows the ruler as he steps out of the pyramid and into modern-day corporate America on a quest to secure employment.

"I am delighted to be directing a play by one of my favorite playwrights, Emily Golden," said Vonalda Utterback. "It's cleverly written, topical and just a whole lot of fun. I've been involved in many of Theater Company of Lafayette's play festivals over the years as a director, actor or both."

Utterback is particularly enthused about TCL's latest festival that creatively brings to the stage a mix of stories.

"The audiences can expect great variety," Utterback said. "With seven plays, we have something for everyone."

Years ago, Utterback ventured to the exotic land of Egypt.

"I've always been fascinated with all things Egyptian and was so fortunate to have traveled to Egypt back in 2013," Utterback said. "It was magical to have finally experienced, in person, something you have read about and watched on TV your entire life. I love this concept for a play festival — even the name is clever, 'Tut Uncommon.'"

In addition to directing a play, Utterback is also part of the cast of "Desert Dreams," a production about a film buff who breathes new life into an old mummy movie by encouraging patrons in line to act it out while waiting to see the silver-screen feature.

"Desert Dreams" was written by Nora Douglass and directed by Montgomery.

"I love how ambient it is," said Hannah Richards, TCL's social media manager who is also part of the cast of "Desert Dreams." "It really shows storytelling at its finest, and Madge Montgomery did a fantastic job of helping to make the characters real, despite some of them having few lines."

With so many plays, audiences can experience a never-boring curation of tales.

In "King Tut's Bar and Grill," by David Golden, directed by Don Thumim, an ancient hex finds its way to a lonely spot in Egypt, Idaho.

"My favorite is probably Ian Gerber's 'He Gave His Life For Tourism,'" Richards said. "I love that this script is so touching and funny all in one. It also really highlights real-life couple (and actors) Omar Garces and Brett Landis' love for each other onstage and off. (Actor) Jeremy Denning is also hilarious and loveable as Mohamed."

"He Gave his Life for Tourism" follows a couple vacationing in Egypt who discover an unexpected twist to King Tut's curse.

The legacy of Tutankhamun was thought to have been lost to the sands prior to archaeologist Carter's 1922 discovery. Inside Tut's tomb was his stone sarcophagus, that held multiple coffins encasing the body, which was built like a Russian doll.

The ruler was laid to rest with over 5,000 possessions. He was buried with 130 walking sticks to help with his clubfoot. He often wore orthopedic sandals to help with his medical condition. The footwear had images of his enemies on his soles, so that he would always be metaphorically stomping his foes.

"Though King Tut was a minor king in Egyptian history, the discovery of his intact tomb in 1922 gave us great insight into Egyptian culture," Montgomery said. "Tut also became a cultural phenomenon, sparking books, songs, movies and even fashion."

To this day it isn't entirely clear what caused Tut to lose his life at the age of 19.

"The story of the discovery of the tomb is filled with mystery and intrigue, including tales of an ancient curse," Montgomery said. "With such a rich topic, I expected that the playwrights would be inspired to create unique and imaginative plays, and they delivered."

Over the years, many folks who visited the tomb have died in what's considering strange or untimely ways.

One alleged victim was Egypt aristocrat Prince Ali Kamel Fahmy Bey, who was fatally shot by his wife in 1923. Sir Archibald Douglas Reid, who purportedly X-rayed the mummy, died mysteriously in 1924. Even the archaeologist Carter passed away from Hodgkin's disease at age 64. He was said to have lived a life of isolation at the end.

"All the plays grapple with the famous curse of Tutankhamun which was said to bring bad luck to all who were involved in unearthing the tomb," Montgomery said. "Each playwright weaves the curse into their plays in very different ways. Spoiler alert — curses aren't always bad."

After "Tut Uncommon" wraps, audiences can look forward to another TCL play festival perfect for the season of mistletoe and mayhem.

"Our next production is a freewheeling play festival called 'Holidazed and Confused,'" Montgomery said. "Six local authors are each writing a short holiday-themed play which will be presented one weekend only on Dec. 16, 17 and 18."

This will be the third-annual holiday play festival TCL has staged.

"It's a lot of fun, and this year we have superheroes, elves and even 'Little Women' remakes inside," Richards said.

Also coming to the stage will be "The Odd Couple," by Neil Simon, from March 3-18.

"This play is done a lot around Colorado, but we hope to bring a unique spin to it," Richards said.

But first, theatergoers can revel in an eclectic production sure to coax out a few laughs.

While fitting seven plays into one night may seem like a daunting task, Montgomery and crew have accomplished that feat with the result being a highly entertaining ride.

"I love the humor, compassion and creativity that each of the playwrights has brought to this festival," Montgomery said. "I encouraged the writers to unleash their imaginations. King Tutankhamun was the starting point, but the plays are all unique. The scripts allow us to enter many different worlds."

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'Tut Uncommon'

Theater Company of Lafayette, Mary Miller Theater, 300 E. Simpson St., Lafayette; tclstage.org.

Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, 2 p.m.

Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m. (pay-what-you-can night)

Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m.

*Masks and proof of vaccination is required. TCL will provide masks to those who need one.