Val Kilmer didn't let some bad, gossipy press dim his bright light for acting. Over the past seven years, he put together a remarkable production spotlighting one of history's most acclaimed authors at the end of his life, cheekily titled Citizen Twain. With a damn fine makeup transformation that almost rivals his Jim Morrison, Kilmer channels Mark Twain as a contradictory, fascinating virtuoso, and even closely compares him to Mary Baker Eddy, the religious founder whom the author publicly criticized. In this one-man show, Twain theorizes eternity, his own death, and the nature of man—he's billed as “part stand-up comic and part philosopher.” Chalk one up to Mr. Kilmer for a completely unique and unpredictable stage performance—as he told one reporter, “hopefully I will be redeemed for all the years of people saying nasty or naughty things about me.” We think paying such strong homage to one of literary's most beloved talents is a good start.
Nov. 22-24, 2013
