By Ernest Kearney — “Latitude,” written, directed, designed and produced by Aaron Francis is a daffy and delightful intellectual discourse between two migrating ducks that have dropped out of the southward-bound flock to take a break and bob on a wide expanse of ocean while pondering what lies, in the depths, beneath them.
Puppeteers Monica Howe and Joe Jordan, in modified Bunraku style visible to the audience, expertly render their floating canard characters, who come across as Abbott and Costello engaging in an epistemological debate on the intellectual virtues that one would normally encounter, only, if plowing through Linda Zagzebski’s voluminous Virtues of the Mind.
Starting from the basic premise (“What value is knowing the truth?”), the two fowls apply the ability to recognize salient facts, show sensitivity to details and demonstrate perseverance in their pursuit of truth (“Nothing is ever learned in vain.”)
They also challenge each other to avoid the intellectual vices of cowardice, conformity (“The flock is a trap”), and the danger of epistemic insouciance. This discussion leads to the discovery of jellyfish gliding on the currents beneath feathery bottoms, which in turn leads to a discussion of heady topics such as free will and the tastiness of fat worms.
As the hour proceeds, the comic chattering wanes somewhat, and the arguments circle around. But still, thanks to an abundance of cleverness on behalf of Francis, Howe and Jordan, the show is great fun and displays far more intelligence than you’ll find in a dozen combined seasons of Fox News.
Latitude is a testimony to the fact that intelligence and imagination are bunkmates, and with a little trimming and some punching up this show could truly soar.
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The Broadwater (Second Stage)
6320 Santa Monica Blvd.
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Tuesday June 25 2024, 8:00 PM | 50 mins
Friday June 28 2024, 10:30 PM | 50 mins
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For Tickets and Additional Information Go To: wwwhollywoodfringe.org
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