Augusto Bitter and the spectacle of Craze

29 Nov 2024 - photos courtesy of Tarragon Theatre

"It's an intense, exuberant comedy with a pretty real gut punch," says Augusto Bitter (White Muscle Daddy, True Dating Stories, Chico, Iphigenia and the Furies, The Monument, Lear) of Craze wherein two couples and an AI companion indulge in 'an evening of drinking and sex that cascades into chaos.'  "For a play that discusses what it means to be human, it really does explore a rich, energetic spectrum of human emotion," says Bitter. 'Craze is an extremely unique script with sharp shifts in tone, rhythm, and style. It's both funny and very moving, while unpacking timely philosophical questions. An overarching conversation about love and humanity that playwrights Rouvan Silogix (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo) and Rafeh Mahmud are exploring. I play Buddy, the AI companion. Whether Buddy is there to help or up to something more sinister . . . You'll have to come and see."

Craze comes with a lot of ambiguous trigger warnings and Augusto is initially ambiguous as well. "If you've ever been in an open relationship, or practiced any kind of non-monogamy, some of the arguments in the play may sound very familiar," he says. "I don't find them triggering, but definitely relatable, icky, and cringey. The biggest trigger is the play's direct discussion about the military industrial complex, technology's role in it, and our complicity in the violent wars and genocides we are currently experiencing and televising. It is a gift to process the grief we have been steeped in, but it is not for the faint of heart." Then he less ambiguously and enthusiastically adds, "Swinging! Sexual innuendos! Homoerotic wrestling! "Firm bodies"! Are those two women gonna kiss?"

Bitter, who excels at being either intense or comedic, seems wasted as an AI companion. He disagrees. "My track is a real actor's gift. The script is full of really complex and poetic language. I get to do voiceover, sing, fight, play various ages, and more. I'm flexing a lot of muscles in this piece and I'm very excited by how unique of an offering it is for the current theatre landscape in Toronto and Canada. It is a very demanding role concentrated in a short amount of time. It requires a lot of focus and conditioning to stay ready. Most of all, it is vocally very specific and very precise. I've done a lot of ensemble work where I've gotten to play multiple characters in a single production and shapeshift between different voices and bodies. This role is a similar challenge except I'm only playing one character! You'll see. Director Mike Payette [Come Home - The Legend of Daddy Hall, Choir Boy, Cockroach, Angelique] and I have also wanted to work together for some time, and I'm glad we finally had the chance to collaborate on such a cool show." Payette is known for dramatic visuals and flair. "Mike delivers!," says Bitter. "It's been so fun to understand and see his vision come to life. Dramatic visuals is an understatement for Craze. It's a feast for eyes and ears, hearts and brains."   

The rest of the cast is also a feast. "I'm such a fan of Lisa Ryder and Ali Kazmi (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Uncle Vanya) and am so excited I get to work with them," says Bitter. "Kwaku Okyere (Roberto Zucco, Choir Boy, Iphigenia and the Furies, Shove It Down My Throat, The Seat Next to the King) and I have grown up together as artists in this city. I think Louisa Zhu (A Midsummer Night's Dream) has the most surprising track, and I'm glad she has an opportunity to showcase many skills in this show. We all have very technical tracks and constantly talk about 'spinning plates' in many scenes. It's hard to think ahead because there's so much going on in the present moment, we're patting our heads, rubbing our bellies, and maybe shaking a foot too." Bitter sounds excited by the challenge. He is.  "Craze is extremely technical. The set, sound, and lighting design are very detailed, gorgeous, and challenging to execute, and the creative team has done an incredible job bringing the play to life with high skill and craft. It's a real playground for the cast and I'm excited to show off and add a little more spectacle to stages this fall."

And even more Bitter spectacle is coming. "I'm gearing up for my third solo show Reina in May 2025. I'm excited to present it alongside local and international artists as part of Buddies in Bad Times' Genrefuck series. You can also catch me as an iconic alien on Star Trek: Section 31 alongside Michelle Yeoh  premiering January 24th on Paramount+. Gratitude!"