What I liked
Performances, minimalist use of set to create an atmosphere and a real strong understanding of tone which pervades the script. The choice to do the play mainly in the dark was as awesome as I thought it would be when Irina first told me about it at office hours. As adults we only believe in what we see. So simply by dimming the lights Irina forces us to focus on the words and operate off of the simple truths of what is being said, just as children relinquish a true plane of understanding in contextualizing the world by being void of cynicism, ego and jadedness. The real genius, though, is that dimming the lights is a double edged blade because it also gives the audience to space to use our imagination, filling in the blanks visually in our mind of what can’t be seen. This choice really heightened the play for me, personally.
What I didn't like
Just a bit more catharsis from the protagonist. I want to see the little boy struggle with his growth a little more as he learns each of his lessons. But all in all I think the production was well executed.
My overall impression
A thoughtful adaptation of a classic children’s book that touches on love and individuality that is relayed with an almost child like simplicity which exists at the heart of the original little prince. I sometimes felt like I could’ve been watching a kids bedtime story craftily being performed in their bedroom with the use of flashlight puppetry, and I mean that in the best way. Irina’s intention seemed to be deliberate in allowing us to tap back into that little kid psyche. The script was written in a way that these very complex ideas were broken down into base theme & emotion, making sure to focus our attention on what is truly important. Love, true friendship, loyalty etc. and less on the ego driven accomplishments which most adults fixate. It was while watching what was happening onstage, in mostly darkness (which was amazing), gazing into the projector displayed starry twilight that I found myself beginning to actualize my own life, what it is that I deem important and how I translate my own love onto the world. When a play has the ability to do all that, you can bet, it’s worth you seeing for yourself. I highly recommend it.
