PicksInSix Review: The Steadfast Tin Soldier - Lookingglass Theatre Company

A Mesmerizing and Unforgettable Theatrical Treasure!
PicksInSix® Review | Guest Contributor | Kaitlyn Linsner

The beloved and delightfully creative holiday treasure, “The Steadfast Tin Soldier,” is now playing at the Lookingglass Theatre in the Water Tower on Michigan Avenue. Mary Zimmerman first brought the Hans Christian Andersen tale to life in 2018 and years later, it remains an unforgettable theatrical experience. 

“The Steadfast Tin Soldier” follows a small tin soldier through a whirlwind of adventures including falling in love with a ballerina, getting swallowed by a fish and befuddling a rat working in the sewage system’s customs department. The story itself has great charm and enduring life lessons, but it is Zimmerman’s use of wordless storytelling techniques that make this a larger-than-life spectacle. 

Why speak the language of love when you can dance? Or better yet, just slick back your hair, stand up tall and ask your crush out by pantomiming a play-by-play of your ideal date. It’s an absolute riot, and not only does this approach work for the show, it lingers outside of the theater by striking up a curiosity about how to interact in time and space with that same childlike playfulness and imagination.

In addition to the stellar pantomiming, the puppetry, visual imagery and original music by Andre Pluess and Amanda Dehnert elevate this production from endearing to truly remarkable. The musicians play well together, and with the cast, to deepen the experience and connection with the characters. The costumes from Ana Kuzmanic and sets from Todd Rosenthal also dazzle. 

Same goes for the exceptionally talented ensemble cast - Kasey Foster as the Ballerina, Anthony Irons as Goblin, Christopher Donahue as the Nursemaid, John Gregorio as the Rat, and Adeoye as the Tin Soldier - who skillfully play multiple roles and cultivate magic on the stage. Highlights include Irons’ animated movements as the haunting jack-in-the-box Goblin and Gregorio’s hilarious pantomiming as the Rat and the googly-eyed fish monger. 

At a running time of only an hour, the show is perfect for all ages looking to enjoy music, movement, charisma and great comedic timing. “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” continues to embody whimsy and wonder and will leave a lasting impression of just how darling things can be. 

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR | KAITLYN LINSNER is a Chicago-based attorney practicing construction and surety law.

PHOTO CREDIT | LizLauren

LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE COMPANY
Presents
THE STEADFAST TIN SOLDIER
through January 8, 2023

Water Tower Water Works
821 N Michigan Ave.
(312) 337-0665

WEBSITE
TICKETS

2019 PicksInSix Review

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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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PICKSINSIX Review: 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEAS

"ONE STAGGERING VISION HEAPED ON ANOTHER."

First things first... If you are looking for a rousing adventure story, rich and rugged scenic elements, dynamic performances, imaginative puppetry and high-flying excitement above and below the waterline - or as the script says, "one staggering vision heaped on another" - Lookingglass Theatre Company's 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas is sure to rock your boat!

High seas exploits... The Jules Verne classics have been majestically reimagined for the stage and this fascinating science fiction epic bubbles up from the deep in a new stage adaptation by David Kersnar and Steve Pickering(Althos Low) weaving all the mystery and suspense of Captain Nemo's high seas exploits together with shipwrecks and sea creatures, great and small, in a thrilling evening of entertainment. 

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What it's about... Prisoners from a Confederate prison camp escape and crash land a hot-air balloon on a remote island. In time they discover and recognize the Natalius from a familiar published work by the noted French expert Professor Morgan Aronnax, and meet its aging, anguished and sole surviving crew member, Captain Nemo (a spellbinding Kareem Bandealy). The story unfolds through the recollections of Professor Aronnax(the dynamic Kasey Foster), her compatriot, Brigette Conseil(a spirited performance by Lanise Antoine Shelley) and the swashbuckling harpooner Ned Land(a beefy, rugged role for Walter Briggs) who are central to the inner story of seas storms, intrigue and more than a few twists and turns. The superb supporting ensemble includes Thomas J. Cox, Joe Dempsey, Micah Figueroa, Edwin Lee Gibson, Glenn-Dale Obrero and an extraordinary stage crew who make the magic happen.

Fantastic voyage... Fans of the Jules Verne classics or the film version will find this reimagined story right in their wheelhouse, a fantastic voyage with a new, engaging twist of character relationships. 

A visual feast... Todd Rosenthal's ruddy, versatile set design is complemented by Sully Ratke's brilliant period costumes highlighted by Christine Binder's lighting and Rick Sims sound. The inspired circus choreography by Slyvia Hernandez-DiStasi, massive rigging by Issac Schoepp and the creative puppet designs of Blair Thomas, Tom Lee and Chris Wooten, make this David Kersnar directed production a visual feast. 

REFLECT... Lookingglass presents a post-show discussion entitled REFLECT following the 2:00 p.m. matinees on select Sundays. The June 24th topic: Jules Verne and Victorian Sci-Fi... the July 15th offering is Creatures From The Deep presented in partnership with scientists from Chicago's Shedd Aquarium. For the complete schedule, visit: REFLECT.

PHOTOS|Liz Lauren

Lookingglass Theatre Company
presents
20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEAS
Adapted by David Kersnar and Althos Low
From the Books by Jules Verne
Directed by David Kersnar
through August 19th
821 N Michigan Ave.

TICKETS: 312.337.0665
WEBSITE

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