IronAge Theatrepresents 
The Tooth of Crime
IronAge Theatrepresents 
The Tooth of Crime tells the tale of Hoss, an aging rock star in a worldwhere entertainment and street warefare have combined. Hoss is challengedby a newcomer, Crow, who battles with Hoss for fame. The battle mixes musicstyles and intense dialogue for a compelling evening of theater.
In 1988 Iron Age Theatre produced Sam Shepard's tour de force,The Tooth of Crime. Director Randall Wise chose to set the productionin a large gymnasium and present the play like a rock concert. With thehelp of Musical Director, John Doyle, Wise captured the power of Shepard'splay about fame and the savagery of the human spirit. The production includedlive original music and a pre-show "MTV" style presentation toestablish the characters. This is one of Shepard's hardest works.
The Iron Age production played to standing room only crowds.
"Randy Wise did much more than stage Sam Shepard's The Tooth of Crime at Villanova University this weekend.
Wise directed in a gutsy go-for-broke manner that resulted in the challenging,smart, and no-holds-barred performances Shepard's script demanded. This,after all, is a play about the art of rock 'n' roll.
It would be hard to imagine more difficult script for student theater totackle. The language, existential and surrealistic, challenges audiencemembers and makes the acting problems enormous.
It is unfortunate Iron Age Theatre only put on The Tooth of Crimefor a single weekend. It was probably the most challenging, interesting,and creative performance of any theater, amateur or professional, in thearea."
Jim McCaffrey
Suburban and Wayne Times
"Director Randy Wise creates a bleak, minimalistic environment reflected in the stark black set and blood-red lighting. This provides a greater emphasis on the actors and helps the audience imagine the cold, almost barren world of the rock star.
The show's gloomy atmosphere is further highlighted through the wild, raucous music provided by Villanova's own Rock Bottom. Their pulsing intensity makes the perfect background for the climactic showdown between Hoss and Crow.
As Hoss, Kenneth Luthy does an admirable job. Luthy's lanky frame and twisted grimace, combined with his strong guttural voice, paint the picture of a frustrated, angry rocker who has played the game too long.
Jeri Smith gives a strong supporting performance as Crow with her cat-like movements and capable singing."
Beth Barrow
the Villanovan
Starr and the girls dance to the Power.
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