Rereading some journaling she was doing back when her friend mentioned “slut energy,” Marie began visualizing a play about four descending generations of women – with each woman, in her own way, falling into the demeaning trap of a draining, abusive relationship. “But the more I wrote in their voices,” she says, “the more I realized that the women had so much to say that each one needed her own show.”
Marie will premiere the first installment tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Crossroads Theater, 2590 Washington Street. Directed by donnie l. betts, Slut Energy Theory tells the story of U’dean, a matriarchal figure and incest victim born in the early 1900s — and a character of whom Marie is undeniably proud. “I’m surprised at how direct I was able to make her,” she says. “She has a graceless way of speaking, but I love the honesty behind this character and her sense of humor.”
Performances of Theory continue through October 10 (the October 7 performance is a benefit for Crossroads Theatre), and tickets are $15; call 303-832-0929 or go to www.denvercrossroads.com for specific dates and reservations. Because this run coincides with Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Marie plans to address domestic-violence issues during facilitated talkback sessions; she’s also working with the Clothesline Project, a program that raises awareness of violence against women with displays of T-shirts created by victims as a way to tell their stories.
Wednesdays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. Starts: Oct. 1. Continues through Oct. 10, 2009
