What I liked
It’s an interesting concept to put what amounts to a series of personal essays about what art means to us in a dystopian world where those words can no longer be used. It definitely creates a tension that invites the audience to participate to see if they can navigate the world as well. If anything, it might be a little overwhelming to participate because one simultaneously wants to play with the world’s rules – but also have something profound to say about art. I frequently found myself scrambling to do so and maybe that’s the actual point. The fascist state wants to tie you in knots of your own design and ironically, you have to get creative to avoid them.
The cast performed well and integrated into the audience naturally. The sound effects were really well done and there was more than a couple times where I was wondering if that was just the real world LAPD flying over. (Ominous either way.) There were frequent prompt moments despite our specific audience being a little shy, but the cast was able to carry the narrative along without too much delay.
Definitely a show I’d recommend for its thought-provoking premise and hopeful conclusion. If you ever wondered what the world was like after the curtain falls in Cabaret…. you can either go outside or go see this show!
What I didn't like
On the one hand, the world that is built here has a specific design and intent. It has a set of rules to play within and they are coherent in the performance. The lead up to the show, however, makes it a little difficult to know what we’re in for. Normally, this would be a correct amount of tension for an immersive experience in a fascist future. (We had certainly talked at length beforehand about what we were ready for. Were they going to yell at us? Was there going to be threats? Etc.) But when we get there… it’s kind of a safe space. I never felt personally stressed out – which I was low key hoping for. (Let that say what it does about me. Ha!)
I think the near hyperbolic stretch that’s required to imagine such a wildly and incoherently repressive lock down of culture and creativity almost requires a more symbolic amount of violent oppression to feel earned in the performance. I believed these people were feeling the weight of that oppression, but we the audience can only take their word for it up until [spoiler]. That moment definitely helps drive the point home better. I might have moved it up way sooner to properly set the tone. Having said that, as a set piece moment on its own, you all did a great job with it.
I might also suggest adding in a couple stand-ins for the state. Not overt agents, specifically… but more like a sympathetic character or two that have already been broken and are close to boot-licking. (I understand that music Joe is kinda supposed to be that person, but he felt “resigned” more than “broken” if that makes sense.) It would help establish stakes for the cast/audience and demonstrate the emptiness they’re struggling to outrun.
It’s a tough balance to strike and you took a big swing and I appreciated that. These are just thoughts that come from the disparity between what I expected and what the show was.
My overall impression
An ambitious bit of world-building for this specific moment in time. The cast is great. The immersion doesn’t demand much from those of us that are a little timid. The snacks were delicious.
