What I liked
Bound was a truly inspirational theatrical experience that I hadn’t yet encountered in LA. It embodies the essence of a fringe festival perfectly with everything from its subject matter to the way the ensemble works together to create an invisible ship, so realistic that I almost felt seasick by the end. It’s a lovely script by Jesse Briton that does a nice job of giving each of our characters depth without bogging us down with a lot of exposition. I can remember specific moments for every character when I got a real glimpse into the heart of who that person was. This isn’t all in the writing, though. Director Paris Hunter Paul has assembled a supremely diverse, watchable cast that really delivers. There isn’t a weak link to be found in this group, from Michael Curran-Dorsano’s dark and brooding Alan to James Leighton’s turn as Rhys, the wise-ass with a heart of gold. Every actor was committed and passionate, and there was a sense of camaraderie that extended beyond the characters into the artists themselves. I was enthralled by the physical work of creating the ship and the storm and maintaining that illusion for 75 uninterrupted minutes.
What I didn't like
The only aspect of the show that felt even a little bit off point was the singing. These are all very capable singers, but I couldn’t quite get on board with it conceptually. I felt that if these were supposed to be these fishermen singing, the voices should have been a bit rougher and less practiced. If it was meant to be merely an underscoring for the transitions, the voices weren’t as tight as they could have been. Basically I felt like the songs weren’t pushed enough in any particular direction. I’m really grasping at straws here to find something I didn’t like, if you can’t tell.
My overall impression
This is a beautiful show that’s unlike any theatrical experience I’ve ever had. It was hilarious, touching, and exhilarating. I don’t know what more you could want.
