Is it pornography or is it art? TASTY LITTLE RABBIT tells the true story of a 1936 Fascist Italian investigation of pornography charges in Taormina, Sicily. The investigation uncovers a much darker secret of a love triangle between poet Sebastian Melmoth, photographer Wilhelm Von Gloeden, and an 18-year-old Sicilian boy. What will be sacrificed to protect secrets of the heart?
“For over two decades, Los Angeles–based playwright Tom Jacobson has repeatedly proven himself to be one of the most prolific innovators in all things theatrical in our too often culturally-challenged reclaimed desert. Long cherished in our community for the magical and edifying body of work he has created, there’s no doubt he would be my top choice as someone to be crowned as the Playwright Laureate of Los Angeles theatre. Jacobson returns with another riveting work, TASTY LITTLE RABBIT, based on historical fact and speculating about the relationship of German photographer Baron Wilhelm Von Gloeden, his main model and muse Pancrazio Buciuni, and a mysterious visitor called Sebastian Melmoth.” —Travis Michael Holder, Ticketholders LA.com
“The specific subject of Jacobson’s literate and moving play are some photographs taken in 1897, but its scope is much greater than that, exploring art and love and the tragedy of being ahead of one’s time. The world premiere production at Moving Arts is smart, witty and features a brilliantly talented cast. Jacobson’s writing is sharp, layered and pointed — although this play tells a true historical tragedy, our own time isn’t seeming especially safe these days.” —Terry Morgan, Arts Beat LA
“TASTY LITTLE RABBIT is a haunting, erotically charged excavation of beauty, memory, and the violence of being seen. Tom Jacobson’s writing vibrates with a dense weave of historical and philosophical allusion, echoing the architecture and seriousness of Tom Stoppard. Both writers favor intellectual compression and uneasy mirroring. Yet Jacobson diverges from Stoppard in one essential way. The cleverness here does not delight. It wounds. Jacobson’s vision doesn’t just invite attention. It insists on it.” —Michael M. Landman-Karny, Stage and Cinema
“Like Tom Jacobson’s most recent triumph, the award-winning CREVASSE, TASTY LITTLE RABBIT gives audiences a peek at the private lives of some of modern history’s most noteworthy — and notorious — figures. That it’s also an entirely enthralling piece of theater is icing on an already tasty little cake.” —Steven Stanley, Stage Scene LA
