'Evolution': Charleston's Nick Smith tackles the Internet, pop culture in play

"Darwinian man, though well-behaved, at best is only a monkey shaved."

— W.S. Gilbert on evolution.

Nick Smith's selections seemed wholly natural: what to lampoon, what to pillory, what to satirize.

Composed as a series of vignettes, his new play, "Evolution," takes on pop culture, the Internet and social networking, "2001: A Space Odyssey," cutthroat sales tactics and the notion of a 2012 apocalypse.

"There are some comedy sketches, some recurring characters, some storylines that run through the play," says writer-director Smith, whose latest work enjoys a one-day run 7-9 p.m. today at the Meeting Place at North Charleston's Park Circle. "As in my novels, I'm using extraordinary characters to comment on the world around us that we take for granted. In this instance, the characters include dinosaurs, cavemen, a pompous Darwin-type and the missing link."

"Evolution" embraces an amoebic blob that is accosted by a salesman pitching fins, legs and the ability to use tools; a Darwinian-era scientist who spouts crackpot theories; and apes trying to decipher the mystery of a 2001 monolith as if it were a balky PC.

"We find out why the dinosaurs really became extinct, what cavemen would think of a theater audience, and how The Beatles tried to get their first major record contract," says Smith, a critic, film director and cinematographer as well as a novelist and playwright.

"What I'm saying in this play is that it's important to be aware of where we've come from, what's going on around us and how our world is changing. By looking at the human race's evolution, we can see that ignorance and lack of communication (in its many forms) can be incredibly destructive. I'm also comparing the great achievements of mankind with the relatively easy, mundane lives many of us lead today."

Why one night only?

"I want this very much to be a special one-off event. I see it more as a concert with a 'supergroup' of local actors rather than a regular play."

Smith has assembled an extensive cast that includes Pam Hays, Charlie Thiel, Rob Maniscalco, Carl Hedgepeth, Joey Greene, Jason Zwiker, Pat Garvin, Arlene and Stephen Lagos, Julio Cotto, Mandi Beers, Eddie Sturgeon, Danielle Ward, Kyle Mims, Eric Doucette, Braxton Williams, Christina Rhodes, Ashley Starkey and Carol Corrigan.

Meanwhile, Smith will serve as producer for the independent feature film "Eight Graves," slated to begin shooting this month in Georgetown. Directing is Gus Smythe. Smith also hopes to write a new play for the second Greater Park Circle Playfest in September.

For further information on "Evolution," e-mail nicksmithproductions@hotmail.com.

Reach Bill Thompson at bthompson@postandcourier.com or 937-5707.