BWW Reviews: DIE ROTEN PUNKTE: KUNST ROCK (ART ROCK) at Duke Energy Theater

DIE ROTEN PUNKTE: KUNST ROCK (ART ROCK) playing now until August 5 2012, presented by Blumenthal Performing Arts at the Duke Energy Theater, 345 North College Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. Tickets are on sale at the Blumenthal box office: 704-372-1000.

If you want to have a fun diversion this week, you must see DIE ROTEN PUNKTE (The Red Dots). I laughed my "you-know-what" off. Otto and Astrid Rot are hilarious and have patter as tight as Burns and Allen, in their co-dependent "questionable" brother and sister relationship. Their sharp personas and commitment to their roles reveal they are very seasoned comedians. Don’t let their clown-like, buffoonery fool you. They are also great musicians. Their music is retro 80s and simple rock, but it frames their act with catchy songs including "Ich Bin Nicht Ein Rototer (I am a Lion)".

Irreverent in yellow, turquoise and blue eye shadow with red tipped false eye-lashes and torn tights, Astrid plays on a child-sized drum set which makes her frame appear larger, as she jumps on her drum stool.  Her experienced, bawdy, world-weary, alcohol addicted attitude is in bright contrast to Otto, the "somewhat" innocent. He draws you in, as he plays his child-sized guitars and keytar. His comical persona has a hint of a young Howie Mandel, although Otto is an original with whiteface, cherry red lipstick and a "questionable" German accent. He has the emotional depth of killer, when he is displeased with his sister’s flirtatious attention on a male audience member. He has a deep passion for his train set and for his banana. Otto sings and Astrid harmonizes, “My banana has a home,” in the song "Banana Home".

The Duke Energy theater is small, so you feel close, uncomfortably close. Astrid and Otto pull you in closer to become part of their intimate dysfunctional family. Don’t dare go to the bathroom in the middle of their show, or they might stop the performance and talk about you. They might even wait to resume playing until you get back, if you’re not gone too long.

Although, the premise of two orphaned siblings from Berlin is fiction, Otto and Astrid’s commitment is sincere. The show has heart and it’s very entertaining! They won “Best Production (Cabaret)”, 2008 Green room Awards and “Best Production”, 2008 Monteal Fringe Festival. 'Guaranteed to make you laugh! Don't miss this one!

Linda Ann Watt is a member of SAG, AFTRA and AEA and owns Corlin Productions, a union franchised production house. Through Corlin Productions, Watt has written and directed film, television, documentaries, commercials and educational programs with celebrity guests including Betty White, Nell Carter, Dom DeLuise, Aaron Neville, Tippi Hedren and Sid Caesar. Watt teaches two acting & scene study classes at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center—the Master Class using "Method" techniques and the Workshop Advanced for working actors, directors and writers. Watt has been a recipient of a Grass Roots Arts Project (GAP) Grant 2008-2012, awarded through the Union County Community Arts Council (UCCAC) and the North Carolina Arts Council for an Enrichment Arts Program teaching acting and filmmaking & editing to youth, coordinated though Union County Public School (UCPS). Watt produces lectures featuring entertainment industry and celebrity guests for the Charlotte community. As a past executive board member of Women In Film in Los Angeles, Watt chaired and produced the Academy Awards© Viewing Party four consecutive years, which became an annual top Hollywood event. Watt has appeared in movies, television stage and national commercials. Watt is presently in post-production with her children’s series for Funny Productions, a division of Corlin Productions and she has been asked to direct a feature film "Thirty Day Promise" in late summer. For more information: www.corlinproductions.com

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