Speech Therapy

by A.D. Amorosi

spoken word

Though Timothy Allen Smith is a stalwart of the San Diego theater scene (his Twenty/20 Productions has, since its 1999 start, produced six of Smith's pieces, to say nothing of his other writings), the director/playwright is a Sharon Hill native and Academy Park High School graduate, class of 1986. Instead of oranges, Smith has brought home his first-ever touring show, the 34-member-strong spoken-word opera Hypocrisy. Centered around one troubled therapist and her interlocked group of patients — all seeing the psychologist without each other's knowledge — Hypocrisy sounds like an episode of The Sopranos without the blood or red gravy. "Everyone here has issues with their double lives, like the very religious homosexual who can't reveal his therapy or his sexuality to his fellow church goers," says Smith. But it's the rhythm and beat that make Hypocrisy tick. Set to a soundtrack of angry alterna-rock, gospel, world and R&B (some executed by Philly's own Head) and choreography by Tessandra Chavez and Lisa Welsh, Smith explains the idea of his spoken-word opera as one that deals as much with its text as it does its pentameter. "We use spoken word poetry in the same way some authors would musical interludes," explains Smith. "Rather than break out into song, segues and such are poetic." There's an obvious rhythm to the dialogue, yet not for a second is it one as definite as, say, Mamet. "You may hardly notice the pentameter," says Smith. "But that's just you."

Hypocrisy, Fri.-Sat., May 20-21, 8 p.m.; Sun., May 22, 7 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., May 27-28, 8 p.m.; Sun., May 29, 7 p.m.; $30-$40, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914.