Crispin Glover makes every movie he’s in better. Whether he’s upstaging Dennis Hopper in “River’s Edge” or creating an utterly new villain in “Charlie’s Angels” — you just want his face to be on the screen at all times. Mr. Glover will be coming to town this month to present the labor-of-love project that those Hollywood roles have bankrolled — his slide show and the two installments of his “It” trilogy.
Glover last came to town in September of 2011 with his “Crispin Hellion Glover’s Big Slide Show Part 2” at the Granoff Center. And, while his oddball reputation is well established, let me take this opportunity to note how charming and dapper he is in person. He appeared much like this image here — same suit I think. The following thoughts are based on that 2011 show, and there may have been changes in the format since. (This review of a June production at the Museum of Arts and Design seems to describe a somewhat different event, although it is still called a slide show.) And for reasons best known to the artist the show will be performed in reverse order; if you were thinking of attending both nights I don’t think it matters in the slightest.
The slide show was the highlight of the event and came first in the evening. Glover stood on the stage reading from a screen showing stills from his book, illustrations of oddities with curious subtitles, adding commentary and gesturing awkwardly. This part was wildly entertaining and Glover was positively beguiling. The movies however (at the Granoff show we were shown “It is Fine. EVERYTHING IS FINE”) are a rather different story. My main problem was that I could not understand/hear the dialogue at all, but I’m not sure that would have made a difference. This is pretty challenging stuff and not my cup of tea, but you had to watch the movie to get to the Q&A and book signing. Your call.
Saturday, November 30: Crispin Hellion Glover’s Big Slide Show Part 2 with the movie “It is Fine. EVERYTHING IS FINE” with a Q&A and book signing.
Sunday, December 1: Crispin Hellion Glover’s Big Slide Show Part 1 with “What is it?” and a Q&A and book signing.
Tickets $15, only available at the door, doors, 6pm, show 7pm, Columbus Theatre, 270 Broadway, all ages, 21+ to drink with positive ID, Facebook event page