PicksInSix Review: Sea Change-Cabinet of Curiosity
A Deep Dive Trident of Tales
Guest Contributor | Scott Gryder
The 4th Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival opened with a literal splash last night at the MCA Chicago, with Cabinet of Curiosity’s Sea Change, a trilogy of sea stories from an all-female writing team and cast. The festival's opening night performance was packed to the gills with industry professionals, fans, and puppeteers. It was a great gift to be a part of Chicago’s return as a hub for the art of puppetry.
Featuring a parade-style whale-of-a-puppet, the trident of tales opens with Lindsey Noel Whiting’s "Whale Song,” encouraging the audience to evaluate where we are, how we see ourselves in the grander scheme of life, and what ‘monsters’ we’re going after…if any. Next, the elegant yet chilling mermaid puppet of "A Mermaid's Tail (If There's a God)" by Bethany Thomas, with music and lyrics by Liz Chidester, reveals the truth behind mermaid-life and legend. Wrapping up the set, Kasey Foster’s “More” is a ruminating, illuminating direct-address by an epic, floating moon puppet reminiscent of Georges Méliès' A Trip to the Moon, while a frenetic shark dances wildly.
The energetic cast of Sea Change (Sadie Rose Glaspey, Kiley B. Moore, Silvita Diaz, Holly Carney, Alexis Willis, Shay Turnage, Annabella Tuma, Olivia Comai, Ivy Waegel, Michelle Billingsley, and Ranae Adams) provides live, musical accompaniment and clear singing voices, enthusiastically jumping between storytelling and general “life at sea” shenanigans as the crew sails on adrift. What might have improved the storytelling would have been more succinct manipulation and realistically choreographed buoyancy of the puppets. For example, many times throughout, the audible speech and visual mouth manipulation were out of sync. Also, considering the skillfully designed puppets, and the naturally flowing artistry of real sea life, there were missed opportunities for the puppets to be used to their full malleability.
Founded only 5 years ago, Cabinet of Curiosity has become a Chicago standard for detailed puppetry and found object manipulation. And in a time where society, especially within the performance community, is feeling isolated, Cabinet of Curosity’s mission to celebrate togetherness shines bright with the immersive experience that is Sea Change. And it only makes sense that the production is being hosted at the MCA, because puppet makers Ellie Terrell and Jesse Mooney-Bullock have created manipulatable works of art. Each creation is realistically jointed and mobile, with a subtle and breathtakingly watercolor-like fabrication.
Originally developed as an indoor spectacle, Sea Change experienced a limited, outdoor run over the summer of 2021. Here, director Frank Maugeri thrillingly fills every visible inch of the MCA’s Edlis Neeson Theater with puppet activity; however, at times the audience interaction becomes distracting. Sea Change is textured with design as the audience travels from the height of the Cook’s crow’s nest-like kitchen to the lower depths of the deep, with Conner Sales’s washes and pockets of portholed light and shadow, and the charmingly sea-weary scenic elements of Jack Dwyer, Nana Asabere, and Tom Robinson. Jillian Gryzlak’s patchwork costumes highlight the clowning style of the cast, and the audience was tickled by visual surprises by mechanical designer Milam Smith, such as a bikeable, bubbling piano.
In its 4th year, and against all pandemic odds (ie. due to travel restrictions, this year’s roster features national and local artists), now through January 30th, the puppet festival boasts over 70 slated performances across Chicagoland. And, it’s official: starting this year, the festival is slated to occur annually, so Chicagoans can look forward to hosting puppeteers from around the world of the highest caliber. Tickets are on sale now at chicagopuppetfest.org.
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR | SCOTT GRYDER received a Non-Equity Jeff Award for his performance in the one-man show BUYER & CELLAR. www.thescottgryder.com
PHOTO|Cabinet of Curiosity
4th Annual
Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival
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