Gonzo: A Brutal Chrysalis, written by Paul Addis, takes a deep dive into historical accounts of Hunter S. Thompson, the late inventor of so-called “gonzo journalism.” Set in the late 1960s, the one-man show starts at the peak of Thompson’s career during the war on drugs in Las Vegas. As actor James Cartee unwinds a long-winded monologue, he travels through Thompson’s sojourn with Hell’s Angels, his political writings at the ’68 Democratic Chicago convention and his coverage of the ’72 presidential campaign. The show concludes with the triumphal work Thompson produced on the 1970 Kentucky Derby.
Along the way, Addis’ script goes beyond the easily Googleable works to present Thompson’s struggles with simply being human. By exploring Thompson’s mental health issues, marital discord, miscarriage grief and substance abuse, Addis and Cartee make the literary lion more relatable. Despite all the hard work Thompson did in his life, we consistently see the connection between his struggles and the “Death of the American Dream,” something he discusses frequently in his writings. The show ends with Thompson’s acceptance that his American Dream is officially dead, and his exhortation to the audience members never to become a writer.
Under director Tom Ollis, actor James Cartee does an extremely engaging job embodying “Raoul Duke,” delivering his dense monologue off-book and with gusto. While hilariously presenting facts, Cartee educates the audience through his manifestation of Thompson’s character. There is something so emotionally raw about the humanity invested in a figure many know only through Wikipedia rabbit-holing. This show is recommended for true history buffs, or anyone interested in learning more about what it meant to be a writer in the 1960s.
Gonzo: A Brutal Chrysalis
Ten10 Brewing (BSide)
75 minutes; 13 & up
free
Show times
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This article appears in May 14-20, 2025.