Achieving AIRNESS with Forward Theater Co.

The cast of Forward Theater Co.'s AIRNESS, which runs through February 12, 2023, at the Overture Center in Madison, WI. Photo by Ross Zentner.

​By Mary Boyle
 
Let’s face it: February weather in Wisconsin is highly unpredictable.  Could be a blizzard, could be icy rain – I mean, who wants to risk going out in those kinds of elements, am I right?  That is exactly why it is so brilliant that Forward Theater Co. in Madison has continued to follow their pandemic protocol and film and stream their productions, and this weekend is your chance to see a truly special one without having to drive all the way to Madtown or even needing to leave the comfort of your own home.  The show is called AIRNESS and, I have to say, it may be the most surprising show I’ve seen this season.

First of all, I didn’t know until this show that there is in fact such a thing as the U.S. Air Guitar Competition, but winning it is the ultimate goal of the characters we meet in this story.  We are first introduced to Golden Thunder (James Carrington), Shreddy Eddy (Josh Krause), Facebender (Marcus Truschinski), and D. Vicious (Joe Picchetti), four friends from around the country who have come to know each other through their common passion: air guitar.  The only one among them to have had a national win is D. Vicious, but ever since he achieved the title, which won him a role in a Sprite commercial, he’s grown distant from his friends and his girlfriend, Cannibal Queen (Ashley Oviedo), a fellow air guitar competitor.  When brand new girl Nina (Nadja Simmonds) shows up at a competition, she thinks her ability to actually play guitar will make it easy for her to win, though Golden, Eddy and Bender try to warn her that it isn’t enough.  When she bombs, Nina hires Eddy to coach her on how to achieve “airness” – something that even Eddy has a difficult time explaining  - but her determination to win is being undermined by a secret she is hiding.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Air guitar?  Really?!”  I thought the same thing, but it was the cast that drew me to this production.  I spent a weekend at American Players Theatre this past summer and Marcus Truschinski just blew me away, so the chance to see him on stage from the comfort of my couch was all I needed, but James Carrington and Josh Krause bring the humor wherever they go, so I knew this show was going to be funny; in that department, it did not disappoint.  The show starts off funny, and then it gets a bit hysterical, but then something happens that is not unlike what happens to the Grinch when he finally understands what Christmas is truly about.  There is a deep truth and understanding within this story and, when it finds you, you may notice your heart growing a size or two.  I dare say it may even bring a tear to your eye.  Yes.  Air guitar.

Written by Chelsea Marcantel and directed by Molly Rhode, Airness is making its Wisconsin premier with an incredibly talented cast and at a time when the message its sending is truly needed.    Audiences need to know that there is a lot of profanity and loud rock and heavy metal music throughout the production, but please don’t let that keep you away from this gem of a show because I want you to learn what airness is so that you, too, can achieve it – maybe not by winning air guitar competitions, but by finding your own spark that will take you there.  Golden Thunder says of air guitar, “This may be pretend, but it is serious pretend.”  I think the same can be said of this show.  You only have through Sunday to see this production, either online or in-person, so don’t miss your chance!

AIRNESS runs through Sunday, February 12th at the Overture Theater in downtown Madison, Wisconsin.  Tickets for in-person performances may be purchased at https://forwardtheater.com/ or by calling 608-234-5001.  Tickets to stream AIRNESS may be purchased  here.
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About Forward Theater Company
Forward Theater Company is a not-for-profit professional theater company founded to provide exceptional theater experiences for area audiences and give professional actors, designers, and directors an artistic home in Madison, Wisconsin.  Forward Theater was founded on a commitment to the civic and cultural life of our community and works to support area artist, theater students and Wisconsin playwrights.  Forward Theater Company is proud be a resident organization in the beautiful Overture Center for the Arts, providing opportunities for artists and audiences to explore great dramas and provoke conversations about the issues that matter the most.  We are proud to partner with groups like Wisconsin Wrights, Overture Center for the Arts, the University of Wisconsin , Madison Department of Theatre and Drama, American Players Theatre, The Wisconsin Story Project, Wisconsin Public Radio, Dane County Libraries, the Wisconsin Historical Society, and Milwaukee Chamber Theatre to bring exciting, engaging, and challenging theater experiences to an ever increasing audience.