One-man 'Rocko' entertains Arena

"Uncle Rocko's Traveling Beetle Circus," the brainchild of fifth-year senior Craig McEldowney, has nothing to do with beetles or Uncle Rocko, but will seem somewhat like a circus and is guaranteed to be loud.

A 14-piece repertoire, the one-man show will be packed with energy, combining rock and roll music with poetry readings and performance art.

"It's very fast-paced...physical," said McEldowney, a musical theater and computer science double-major. "It's not an autobiographical show. It really is a big mix."

The show, produced by Basement Arts, may shock audiences with its outrageous improv skits, comedic clips and experimental interludes. It won't just be an hour of watching an actor in vogue or boring monologue on stage, McEldowney said with flailing arms and animated eyebrows.

Reluctant to share too many details, McEldowney said one skit will be like watching a dating service video and another will be an actor auditioning for a role on Broadway.

He will share one poem that narrates, in metaphor, breaking up with his last girlfriend and a beat poem that touches on the experimental side. It is the only piece that will be performed with a microphone.

"It gets out there, definitely," he said. "Be ready to throw yourself into the show."

McEldowney began writing the script last year, though one piece dates back about four years. He completed the work this summer in New York City. The show is simple and honest and not really about anything, McEldowney said.

"A little like a circus, there's no thread to it," he said. "Other than that I will be alone on stage the whole time."

McEldowney, who is not big on pop culture references, said the audience probably won't recognize anything from other media, and he would be impressed if people recognize the music.

Some songs that will be heard include "I am Stretched on Your Grave," by Sinead O'Connor, "Jesus Built my Hotrod," by Ministry and tunes by Portishead and Bjork.

The show will include few props and virtually no costumes.

"It's me, my Adidas, my jeans, a couple shirts and a sweater," said McEldowney. "I'd rather have people see me than a bunch of fancy costumes."

McEldowney has performed in a few Basement Arts productions, including "Fat Men in Skirts" and "24-Hour Theatre," and will be performing in the upcoming "A Little Night Music."

"Uncle Rocko" is his directing and solo performance debut.

Since he began rehearsing last month, McEldowney has juggled statistics homework with nightly practices. Despite the stress, he said, he is very excited, and a little nervous, to share his work with an audience.

The show debuts Thursday at 11 p.m. in the dark-curtained Arena Theatre in the Frieze Building and should last about an hour. A second performance will take place Friday night.

Though the show mainly targets college students, McEldowney said he just hopes for a loud, energetic crowd who will contribute to the performance.

"It's a very MTV-generation show," he said. "What you take from it, what you hate, what you love, is up to you."

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