Review: Rock Saber is definitely as advertised at The Magnetic Field in Asheville’s River Arts District

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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A sign outside the theater warned patrons of what they were about to experience, notably that the performance would include vulgar language and brief nudity.

And the experience that is Rock Saber was definitely as advertised.
Two years ago Julian Vorus created a dark comic narrative centering around the failing heavy metal band The Old Grey Goose Is Dead for the Asheville Film Festival where it played to capacity crowds at the BeBe Theatre.

This fall he expanded the work and, pardon the pun, fleshed it out a little and it is an enjoyable 90 minutes for those who are not easily offended.

The music is intentionally bad and the dynamics of the bandmates and their hangers on are pushed to their respective limits, but director Chall Gray (who makes an unexpected and hilarious cameo from the audience) should be commended for dirtying up the WNC performance scene with this nasty little narrative.

Word to the wise: this show (which is only performed at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights for obvious reasons), should not be missed.

Also if you ever want to see actor John Crutchfield’s butt cheeks up close and personal, you won’t need to sit in the front row to do so.

Show runs through Nov. 19, but I shudder to think what will happen during the Nov. 13 Drunk Saber performance where the audience can buy drinks from the bar adjacent to the theater and cast members have to drink them.

Oh, the inhumanity.

Ticket info: themagneticfield.com

—Story by White Lightnin’