Warren Kliewer called his theatre poems “a glimpse into the private lives of a public art form.” This exuberant spoken-word performance also glimpses into the private and public lives of the author, who grew up in rural Minnesota—in a community of German-speaking Mennonites whose values and traditions condemned frivolous secular pursuits.

Kliewer was a much-published poet and essayist before he ran away to join the theatre as actor, director, playwright, and producer. The conflicting pulls of those dramatic talents and his heritage inform these offerings. From a nightmare-ridden scenic designer to a day-dreaming gardener, from a bewildered New York playwright to a stubborn Kansas farm wife: these poems are tiny one-acts of compelling drama and insightful comedy.

The 35 poems in Places, Please, Act One call upon Michèle to portray 41 characters. One hour long, the performance is simply staged and adaptable to most spaces. An optional talk back explores theatre and/or the poems’ origins.

PRODUCTION HISTORY

Warren Kliewer (1931–1998) wrote, taught, and/or published poetry for five decades. Selections in Places, Please, Act One come from an unpublished manuscript of that name, and from three published volumes: Liturgies, Games, Farewells; Moralities and Miracles; and Red Rose and Grey Cowl.

In 2002, Michèle was asked to read a few of the theatre poems for an evening of verse produced by The East Lynne Company (Cape May, New Jersey). Their enthusiastic reception led to her expanded presentation, which she premiered a year later at New York City’s fabled Cornelia Street Café. Soon after, Michèle collaborated with director-dramaturge Cliff Goodwin to hone the script for presentation by New York's selective New Dramatists, of which Warren had been a member. There followed an appearance at historic Mohonk Mountain House, where both Warren and Michèle had performed multiple times in the past.

Now, with Kliewer’s Places, Please, Act One: poems around and about theatres at last out in print, from Gelassenheit Publications, Michèle is touring her production nationally.

REVIEWS 

“Vivid, evocative, and wholly original.”                                                                                    — Simi Horwitz, award-winning arts journalist

“These poems ... were written to be heard, to be performed; these are performance poems.“                                                                                                                                     —Raylene Hinz-Penner, foreword,                                                                                               Places, Please, Act One: Poems around and about theatres 

“For anyone who cherishes theatre, the poems in Places Please, Act One are a delightful discovery. Brimming with insider wit and wisdom, they are also immediately accessible to all. Michèle LaRue’s skillful and vibrant interpretation of multiple characters captures with humorous affection, all the charm of this truly original material.”                                          — Karl Levett, critic, Back Stage weekly

“Places Please abounds with Kliewer’s intimate knowledge of and love for the stage, for actors, for acting itself. LaRue’s voice is so intimate and emotional, yet controlled and completely in character.”                                                                                                        — Angelo Verga, Curator of Poetry & Spoken Word, Cornelia Street Café, N.Y.C.

“A fine poet, Warren Kliewer had a genuinely warm feeling toward flawed human beings, and a sense of humor. He also had a sharp, steely eye for human foibles and idiocies.”          — Allen Davis III, Director, Playwrights Unit, The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre, N.Y.C.

“They're great!!!  And absolutely right on!” — Carrie Robbins, Broadway Costume Designer; playwright