The World Catches up with Waters

In a world where a raging torrent of filth is available to anyone with an Internet connection, where coprophagia goes viral and the hopelessly banal are awarded TV shows, it’s inevitable that people would begin to question the value of being willfully offensive. Some would posit that it comes down to intent, celebrations of bad taste that exist to subvert rather than arouse are still worthwhile artistic pursuits. This might explain why legendary director John Waters’ oeuvre continues to shock 21st century audiences despite much of it being released decades before they were born. Waters brings his one-man show This Filthy World to The Kessler Theatre (1230 W. Davis St.) at 8 p.m. Thursday, so put on your cha-cha heels and head over to Oak Cliff for an audience with the Pope of Trash as he holds forth on his personal obsessions and the insights gleaned over a half-century of giving the finger to propriety. And yes, Divine really did eat dog shit in Pink Flamingos, so do the rest of Dallas a favor and don’t ask. Doors open at 7 p.m. Visit thekessler.org.
Thu., May 29, 7 p.m., 2014