A Live Action Cartoon

She Kills Monsters –  The Cuckoo’s Theater Project

 

While finally having the courage to clean out Tilly’s room, Midwesterner Agnes Evans discovers a handwritten notebook that her deceased younger sister kept when she was alive. The journal is a D&D role-playing module, describing a cast of fierce warrior characters, who roam a fantasy universe, fighting villainy and destroying monsters. Agnes feels a need to understand what motivated her younger sister to create this scenario, prompting a further look at the fictional account. Being an English teacher, Miss Evans seeks out the assistance of Chuck, one of her smart, but nerdy high school students. He’s secretly a Dungeon Master and could possibly aid his teacher in decoding the many mysteries buried within the notebook. With the young man’s help, Agnes leaves 1995 Ohio and enters the timeless fantasy world of Dungeons and Dragons, where she not only reunites with Tilly’s alter-ego spirit, but becomes another fantasy character, joining the army against evil.

Angela Forshee directs Qui Nguyen’s live action cartoon one-act with a whole lot of relish and delight. Her passion for Nguyen’s script is obvious. This 90-minute comic drama first premiered Off-Off-Broadway in 2011 at New York City’s Flea Theater. It opened at the Steppenwolf Garage six years ago, to great acclaim, and has been produced all over the country, ever since. This comic romp is a geek’s dream come true. The air pulses with electricity and resounds with the thunderous clashing of broadswords and the screams, grunts and groans of both combatants and devilish creatures. This thoroughly engaging, escapist entertainment is so action-packed that it’s bound to suck in even the most reluctant, skeptical theatergoer.

The enthusiastic and talented young cast is led by Hilary Griffin, as average educator, Agnes Evans. Ms Evans is controlled and as unemotional as her conservative costumes. Dressed in typical teacher-type clothing, she’s matched by Graham Carlson as her milksop boyfriend, Miles. Both characters are as bland as Joan Pritchard’s costumes dictate, which is a direct contrast to the rest of the ensemble. But Ms. Griffin ultimately gets to strut her stuff when, in the 11th hour, Agnes rises to the occasion and becomes a fierce fighter, making her sister Tilly proud. Tilly Evans is played with gusto and glee by Jillian Leff. Like the rest of this company, she manifests some magnificent combat skills and tumbling talent.

Chuck, the teenage dungeon master, is played for laughs by affable Matthew Torres, a sweetly dorky, Harry Potter-looking young actor. He’s matched by two other male actors, in this predominantly female cast. Zach Tabor is hilarious and delightfully dry as Orcus, the horned (and horny) demon ogre. Hopefully we’ll see a lot more of this gifted actor/improv performer in the near future. And as Steve, Assistant Fight Director/Captain, Michael Saubert, Jr. is not only physically flexible and proficient, as well as a mega-skilled swordsman; as an actor, Mr. Saubert is also very funny. With his pinched Eric Cartman voice, Michael is a pleasure every time he appears.

The lithe, lusty and able-bodied supporting cast includes Erika Lebby, as lascivious Lilith/Lilly; Ari Kraiman, as the carnally captivating Kaliope/Kelly; Elisabeth Del Toro, as Farrah, the feisty Faerie; and Liz Lengyel and Keyanna Khatiblou as the dastardly sisters, Evil Gabbi and Evil Tina. Vera, the comic, Wanda Sykes-influenced high school Guidance Counselor, is played with bawdy, badass buffoonery by Lakecia Harris. She’s another actor we hope to see more in future productions. And, as the Lord of the Rings-inspired Narrator, with her phony baloney British accent, Madeline Bernhard is a tongue-in-cheek talent. Sweeping onto the stage in her cowled wizard’s robe (another creation of costumeer Joan Pritchard), Ms. Bernhard sets the scene and leads the audience on a journey through the magical land of D&D.

In addition to a talented cast, Ms. Forshee has engaged a gifted troupe of behind-the-scenes theatre artists to bring this production to life. None of the nonstop swordplay and violence choreography could happen without the talent of Fight Master, Kai Young. His ability to train this agile cast is a tribute to his skill and dedication. The sparse scenic design and imaginative dragon puppet creations are the work of Bart O’Toole. Shannon Melick’s effective props and additional puppet creations contribute much to the production. Michael Joseph has designed a lighting plot that effectively alternates between the real and the fantasy world. And Marc James’ thundering sound design, which incorporates music from the 90’s, helps make this production sing.

Windy City role-playing gaming geeks, and those who love them, will want to flock to the intimate Prop Theatre to enjoy this theatrically comic pop culture phenomenon. There’s magic, adult humor, athletic prowess and a deeper lesson about familial love that will delight and excite even the most jaded theatergoer. Avid audiences will enjoy escaping the wintery world outside, to travel down the River of Wetness to the Swamps of Mushy, soon to climb the Mountain of Steepness to find the Castle of Evil. Join your fellow nerds “In a time before Facebook,” when playwright Qui Nguyen’s last, decisive battle fills the stage, raging with sound and fury. Only then will the five-headed Tiamat Dragon be finally faced head-on, and New Landia at last be free.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

 

Presented March 16-April 21 by The Cuckoo’s Theater Project at Prop Theatre, 3502 N. Elston, Chicago.

Tickets are available by calling the box office at 312-882-8201 or by going to www.thecuckoostheaterproject.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.