Derek Ahonen on 'Pink Knees on Pale Skin' Dr Bauer

Strong women in the theatre are nothing new; from Antigone to Lady Macbeth to even more modern female figures; ladies have gotten the job done in the theatre. Women in the theatre have been cutting down their male compatriots even in a time when men stood in for the women's roles. So it should be no surprise that women figure strongly into the work of The Amoralists. This credo rang true in the production of "Pink Knees on Pale Skin." This show was one half of The Amoralists production of "Hotel/Motel" which just got extended at the Gershwin Hotel.

The character played by Sarah Lemp, Dr Bauer, was about as cold and unwavering as you could imagine. For much of the play I thought she seemed familiar until I thought back to another character Margi, from another Amoralists production "The Ammerisiah." During our recent interview, I asked playwright Derek Ahonen if he were somehow wronged by some female paternal figure.

"No I actually grew up around really strong women. I was raised by two strong grandmothers and my mother. All the men [in my plays] are moderate buffoons."

The idea of a man writing a play about an idiot man and an overbearing woman could be reflecting some discord in his own life. When I pressed him further, Ahonen allowed:

"...although when I used to date girls I had the privilege to date some really cold broads who just schooled me in the sack."

Being a young man and being embarrassed by a more experienced lover is also nothing all that unique though it does make a lasting impression. Another thing he said on the matter intrigued me.

"...I do recognize that a lot of the most knowledgeable women are operating from a very dead part of themselves."

While I don't know about the equation of knowledge and deadness; I understood what he meant about his own character. Lemp's portrayal of Dr. Bauer could be called "dead" I guess; but strangely 'actively dead.' That is, the character took part in all the action onstage in keeping this dead status; even as she fought off the few who made attempts at breathing life into her. The end portrait is a lonely woman who will always be alone; no matter how many bodies surround her.

When I asked Ahonen about Dr. Bauer's one moment of humanity in the play he said:

"I think in a strange way; and I don't want to get too heady about it; but I think that she's operating out of a very messianic, 60's hippie profits...[the type who]...thought they were brought up to save humanity."

While only one small corner of humanity may have been spared this go-around, the masses left for dead by the renowned Dr. Bauer in this plays world is where attention should be paid. The fact that this whacko is still able to ply her trade and persuasively pull the wool over everyone's eyes and be so heralded is a very sad and very real observation. Maybe worse for everyone who comes into contact with her is the fact that this night seemed to take a familiar course which has been run before.

"Hotel/Motel" runs until September 19.

Source:

http://www.theamoralists.com/

http://www.theatermania.com/off-broadway/news/08-2011/the-amoralists-hotelmotel-extends-through-septembe_40105.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8325549/on_the_record_amoral_conversations.html?cat=49