A Simple Art

A full-length true crime documentary play created & directed by Alex Vlahov
Written and performed by Alex Vlahov, Nessa Norich, Kyra Sims
General Manager: Emily Hirschtick | Stage Manager: Ashley Deluke

Based on Raymond Chandler’s 1944 essay The Simple Art of Murder, first published in The Atlantic Monthly, A Simple Art is a live true-crime documentary looking at the 2014 New Year’s Eve murder of Vlahov’s high-school priest, Father Eric Freed. By syncing up interviews taken from Humboldt County with storytelling, dance, onstage analog devices, and repetitive tasks, the 3 Neo-Futurist cast members scrutinize the human need for narrative through the lens of noir. This new play “investigates” the region’s history, the marijuana industry, the Catholic Church, police procedure, and the crime itself, all in an attempt to explore why (and how) we construct stories from the chaos of reality. Do we embrace the mystery of life or try to solve it?

“Neos’ mastery of theatrical experimentation shines.” – Huff Post

“Devised theater at its best.” – Theatre is Easy

“A Resounding Success.” – Opplaud

“A Wonderful Play. Go see this, it’s great!” – Reviews Off Broadway

“They really bring the whole story to life. You can see it before your eyes as they’re describing it.” – HI! Drama