May. 02, 2012 - Issue #863: Cold Specks
Apocalypse Prairie: The Book of Daniel
The show offers the voices of both the political left and right, past and present. With biting lyrics and truly fantastic music, the cast and crew eventually focus on the words and opinions of the political right in order to create a clear commentary from the left's perspective. The set is artfully designed to depict a radio broadcasting room, with the dramatic vignettes of each individual singer under spotlights contrasting the banality of the room when lit as a whole.
The script is a patchwork of the voices of Alberta's political history, combined with the creative additions provided by the cast and crew. Ideas are stitched together roughly, and, with a very complex script, direction and flow are definitely lacking at times. There are whispers of a linear plot, but for the most part the show is a collage of ideas with its rough edges standing quite exposed. And yet, somehow, it works. While this non-traditional approach to a storyline is sure to vex some theatre patrons, the talent of the cast and crew along with the wit housed in the lyrics make this production a creative success. The singing voices of Laura Raboud and Kristi Hansen are stunning, and the climactic monologue delivered by Murray Utas had the audience constantly catapulted back and forth from laughter to shock through the exciting tale of his religiously paralleled coming of age story. Add that to Steve Pirot's effortlessly suave voice and demeanor as the announcer, and Aaron Macri's technical savvy in the on-stage booth of cluttered technologies, and the talent in this show is undeniable.
Until Sat, May 12 (8 pm)
The Living Room Playhouse, pay-what-you-can ($30 on Sat, May 12) vueweekly.com comments: powered by Disqus
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