Anything Goes : New Plays "Tiresias Lies"/Deus Ex Machina" Now on Amazon by Richard S. Bailey

Richard S. Bailey’s new plays “Tiresias Lies: The Insidious Plot of the Men with No Left Shoe” is a three-act comedy disguised as a Greek tragedy, and "Deus Ex Machina” is an absurd, sci-fi comedy based on the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac; “The Hands of the Beholder” is its prologue piece. “Tiresias Lies” is based on the Antigone story but is not a retelling. It is a deconstruction that bends different versions of Greek mythology to investigate the conspiracy to deprive women of their right to the matrilineal descent of property ownership. The play is written in a modern style with Homeric accents, it is bawdy, particularly in making light of ancient Greek mores regarding incest and homosexuality. Reactions have been enthusiastic: Adam Leipzig, publisher/editor of Cultural Weekly, former dramaturg of the Los Angeles Theatre Center and Pres. of National Geographic Films said, “This is really, really good. Daring theatre, completely surprising, and still completely within the mythic framework.” Joanne Zipay, Artistic Director of New York’s Judith Shakespeare added, “A strong feminist statement. Delightfully and wickedly funny.” "Deus Ex Machina” and “The Hands of the Beholder" take place in a rapidly approaching future when uncontrollable political and religious fervor is leading to Armageddon. In “Deus Ex Machina” the nuclear family splits in a time of crisis. It is a wild sculptural comedy where science vs. religion and eastern vs. western philosophy. “The Hands of the Beholder” is an extended monologue that explores modern conspiracy theories. Reaction from the press has been strong: "Deus Ex Machina" is a delight, it wonderfully places in perspective the more commercial aspects of the business of belief ...wonderful vaudeville schtick, outright camp, and a fine understanding of man. ...comic and somehow touching characters in difficult outrageous comedy sequences creating a feeling of real people caught in a surrealistic future space. …wit, wisdom and downright fun. Bailey makes his point clearly." Hollywood Drama-Logue "One of the best locally produced, original plays of the year." San Francisco Bay Guardian Playwright Richard S. Bailey is a former Associate Director of the Los Angeles Actors’ Theatre, and Producing Director of the San Quentin Drama Workshop. He was personally invited to work with Nobel Laureate Samuel Beckett at the West Berlin Academy of Art (1977). “His 2006 production of “Shuffle, Shuffle, Step: Three Short Plays by Samuel Beckett” received rave reviews from the L.A Times, Backstage West, and Daily Variety, and fulfilled Beckett’s request that he perform “Krapp’s Last Tape”. His other plays include “Bakk’s Tracks”, with music by Eddie Money, Window Pieces and several one-act plays. He is the recipient of Hollywood Drama-Logue awards for producing, directing, writing, and lighting design; an LA Weekly award for directing, and several European press awards as an actor. Both are now available on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Tiresias-Lies-Insidious-Plot-Left/dp/1494762668/ and http://www.amazon.com/Deus-Ex-Machina-Hands-Beholder/dp/1480010111/