The Playgoer: Axeman Cometh

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Monday, May 02, 2011

Axeman Cometh

More from The Onion's theatrical newsdesk:

Production Of 'Iceman Cometh' Canceled Due To Entire Cast Getting Called Back For Axe Body Spray Commercial
LOS ANGELES—An upcoming production of Eugene O'Neill's 1946 drama The Iceman Cometh, a complex meditation on the futility of the American Dream, was canceled Tuesday when every single cast member was called back for an Axe body spray commercial. "The character of Hickey is one of the finest-written roles in American drama, but Axe called and you can't pass that up," said actor Evan Weiss, who studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, has always wanted to play the lead in The Iceman Cometh, and has the perfect physique for the 30-second Axe spot. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Funny for so many reasons, of course. First, there's unfair (though funny!) perception of LA theatrical productions existing only as showcases for TV actors. Then, there's the fact that Iceman Cometh is not only a five-hour Nietzschean tragedy, but actually about a bar full of smelly boozehounds who could probably use some Axe. And to top it off, we have a chuckling shout-out to American Academy of Dramatic Arts!

Then there's the juxtaposed crudeness of the Axe spots, themselves, if you're not familiar with them...

1 comment:

RLewis said...

If it were to replace the Old Spice guy, I might consider it, but I can't believe that they're giving Axe so much cred'. Then again, I've always wanted to ride a horse backwards.