What I liked
Incredible use of the space. No one transforms and creates depth in the Broadwater Blackbox the way that Ann Noble does. And never the same way twice. And always in a way that elevates and serves the story.
Love Ann’s use of cards as representatives of relationships: within the story as well as through the set, in her hands cards become vehicles of character and connection. What she does in this show is particularly cool..
In “Second Rodeo” cards also become a literal house of cards – physical boundaries with active openings and closures – so the audience literally experiences shifts in intimacy between the characters and each other, and between the characters and the audience. Very clever. Visceral. Imaginative storytelling..
LOVE the actors.. LOVE the clowns – Joyce Ha and Brian Harris as the clowns are delightful and while they’re clearly their own-clowns, they are also totally reminiscent of Jeffrey Johnson and Ann Noble’s clowns in last year’s “52 Pick-Up” ~ showcasing how smoothly Theatre Ghosts may be evolving into a REP company not just with returning actors, but with beloved characters appearing in new settings (like Shakespeare did it).
Joyce Ha’s physical choices are brilliant, evocative and fun.
Michael Perlmutter’s Don mirrored in Brian Harris’s clown is as hilarious and enlightening as it is heart-wrenching – love the relationship between the two of them ~ as well as the tenderness and complexity of Michael’s portrayal of his relationship with Carolina as his daughter Haylee – very genuine.
And Carolina Rodriguez’s work is as always, so deeply present, rich and nuanced.
“Second Rodeo” and the Theatre Ghosts Company are redefining “what you do with the deck that’s been handed to you,” and what it means to “play the game.”
What I didn't like
Saw this in previews and the show is already in great shape – excited to see how it sharpens and deepens as they continue their run
My overall impression
Exactly what we’ve come to expect of this talented group of artists ~ a barrage of creativity: inventive choices, out of the box physical storytelling, spiced with a little magical realism, and ever-present clever stagecraft, combine to elicit new perspectives into emotionally difficult subjects – plus, cool uses of a ghost light, playing cards, and delightfully.. clowns!
Really interesting show. Go see it. It’s a trip.
