What I liked
The opening song was stuck in my head all night. It was extremely catchy and a great start. The songs were good in general and everyone in the cast sang extremely well. The costumes were wonderful too and really helped set the scene, since there were minimal props.
The whole cast did a great job, but I especially loved Bigfoot and the mayor. As our main protagonist and antagonist respectively, they perfectly captured the dichotomy of sweet loving optimism versus cruel slovenly incompetence. Woven throughout, there were funny bits on conspiracy culture, literal slapstick comedy (those fake smacks had me laughing every time), and heartwarming family moments.
Two scenes that really stood out to me were Bigfoot’s ballad with two actors playing tree branches as he runs through the forest and the intense monologue at the crescendo of the play’s action.
What I didn't like
Maybe it was just me, but the music was sometimes too loud and I couldn’t always hear the performers if they were singing solo. I’d also love to see a little more from some of the underused townspeople because it was always funny when they chimed in with their misguided notions.
I really enjoyed when they used set pieces to add a little to the stage, even if they were small things like a blanket draped across boxes for someone’s bed. For me, a few more props could have helped bring Mud Dirt and its surroundings areas alive. Having a “Welcome to Mud Dirt” sign in the background of some scenes, for instance, could be a cool easy addition. It would also add to the story depending on how you made it, like how a really rickety sign would immediately show that the town is maybe not in the best shape right now.
My overall impression
This musical comedy with a lot of heart was absurd in the best ways. It felt like a surprising take on Bigfoot and it was nice to see a unique point of view on such a well-worn subject of fascination. There were lots of gags that had me laughing, but underneath all the absurdity there was a touching and timely message about acceptance that we could all stand to hear.
