Luna Noctiluca

This show definitely had tons of potential. I suppose we should have started to doubt things when we went to the address on the postcard (619 Formosa) and realized it was a residential area and the actual location was 916 Formosa. Fortunately we had left plenty of time so the location was just a minor hiccup but something to be aware of for other patrons. Being it was a preview performance I can overlook the technical issues of miscued lights, sound cues coming in too loud and the rather loud whispering coming from the tech booth. As the play started I quickly realized it was going to fall very short of it's promised sultry potential. It was a hybrid of modern day and ancient times that opened with a somewhat shaky and under rehearsed tango.... full review

This production, directed by one of my friends and esteemed colleagues -- Brooke Silva, is a great conceptual piece and a tough on at that. It's no east feet to put a show like this up. I commend her and the cast and designers for a of their hard relentless work. On the other hand, the show lacked polish. It needs some reworking and cutting of the script, as do ALL original pieces of art. Things get cut and put back in constantly. But I thought the idea was interesting. It's a very ambitious piece of theater. So all I can say is keep going, keep exploring, keep trying new things. DON'T let these anonymous reviews get to you. Keep trying to improve the work and piece of theatre you're creating. I definitely think that the woman told wa... full review

This show requires a mature open mind, because of its high context of adult situations. Luna succcessfully connected an old story to modern day complexity. The connection lends truth to the saying "nothing new under the sun". It really expanded the concept of what happens when people loose control over their emotions. The actors seemed to have taken their roles seriously as they joined the old with the new. ... full review

I have given this show a positive review. But for one reason and one reason only: Kelsie Noel Hill. Kelsie play The Woman, a modern woman who plays in a story that plays concurrently with the other story in this play which is Salome's. I'll get to that trainwreck in a minute, but Kelsie's woman is captivating, taking lessons from Salome and explaining them in a modern context and she has many parts to play as if she's at times embodying every woman ever, she whispers into the ears of the other cast, making them do things they wouldn't normally do to explain some of the ridiculous actions that take place in the classic storyline. For me this show is about Kelsie Noel Hill, she is far and away the best actor on the stage, she knows what she's... full review

Saw this piece on Opening Night and had a fun experience. This Salome remix is worthy of discussion on the topic of desire. Using it to exploit others, to gain power or being consumed by it yourself this production offers an interesting commentary to these thoughts. Our experience as an audience was interesting, the pace was definitely quick and driving you had to stay alert to keep up with it. But there was an energy in the room you don't always get with an audience, we were in this journey together. There was this brilliant unplanned moment where one of the actors runs across the stage with 4 wine glasses as the characters prepare to toast Caesar. Well the actor moving so quickly suddenly lost her footing and the glasses began a free... full review

A valiant attempt by a group that's clearly passionate about making theatre. Unfortunately, I felt the production was lacking in a few key areas (comprehension of Wilde's text being a big issue), and the acoustic cover of "Call Me Maybe" in the middle of the show stuck out like a sore thumb. While I am rating this show as Not My Thing, I do sincerely applaud these guys for taking the chance they did. I hope they'll come back next year with a little more seasoning and different material, as I think they have a lot of potential. ... full review

Luna Noctiluca, making its World Premiere at The Other Space Theater, is a story of two Salomes told in two parts. The first is a drama, beginning with a dance. Salome in white (Lissa Alvarado), Jokanaan (Bradley Roa II) in black, the music is Bizet’s “Habanera” from Carmen. Shortly after their dance ends the two retire to their separate corners and the play begins. Herod, Herodias, and an especially charming young Syrian (Brandon Hitchcock) complete the ensemble. The second a solo performance, narrated by an unnamed Woman (Kelsie Noel Hill) in a red dress, who piece by piece tells her own story of sexual promiscuity, prostitution, and erotic dancing. Director Brooke Silva, by way of her twelve-person ensemble, has created an inspired ret... full review