A New Christmas Pantomime

The Steadfast Tin Soldier–Lookingglass Theatre

A New Christmas Pantomime

We know it’s the holiday season at Lookingglass Theatre from the moment we enter the theatre. The act curtain has been transformed into a gigantic Advent calendar. While the four powdered-wigged musicians begin playing below, in the show’s petite pit orchestra, the cast enters the stage one-by-one. Clothed in brightly colored costumes, deliciously designed and created by Ana Kuzmanic, each character opens a new door and reacts to the images behind them. The final door reveals the titular character and the pantomime begins. By the conclusion of the play the audience will understand the significance of each item.

In the first scene, a very young little boy opens his Christmas gift. Inside he discovers a wonderful collection of tin toy soldiers. One of the soldiers, however, was the last one to be cast from the metal and is missing one of his legs. As he gazes about the nursery, he spies a dollhouse, inside of which a beautiful ballerina paper doll is also standing on one leg. Immediately the tin soldier falls in love with her, but another toy, the Jack-in-the-Box (who’s really an evil goblin) becomes jealous. 

He magically causes the tin soldier to fall out of the window and into the street that’s been flooded by all the rain. Two mischievous lads spot the soldier and, after folding a piece of paper into a boat, they set the one-legged toy sailing through the gutters. The boat falls down into the storm sewer, taking the soldier with it, where it eventually works its way down to the stream. There a hungry fish swallows the soldier, but the bass is eventually caught by a fisherman. He sells the fish to a cook who prepares it for her family’s dinner. Ironically, she works for the same household of the little boy who once owned the steadfast tin soldier. What happens next are the evil machinations of the jealous goblin. The story sadly ends tragically with the ballerina and the soldier reunited for eternity.

This is one more of the many stories written by famed Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen. In the early 19th century he wrote dozens of fairytales for children, such as “The Little Mermaid,” “The Snow Queen,” “The Emperor’s New Clothes” and “The Ugly Duckling.” However, “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” was Andersen’s first story that wasn’t inspired by some other folk tale. It was completely original.

Throughout the years, the popular story has been adapted by other writers and translated into many formats, such as picture books, songs, animated feature films, TV movies, ballets and plays for the stage. However, in this brand-new family friendly holiday play, written and directed by multi award-winner, Mary Zimmerman, the story is presented as an English Christmas pantomime. It contains no spoken dialogue, but features, through Lookingglass Theatre’s unique style of storytelling, color, glitter, comedy, spectacle, music, memorable characters and an enchanting, heartbreaking story of love. It’s a tale of undaunted bravery and faithful devotion to the heart.

Staged upon, what seems to be, a large, beautifully detailed life-size puppet theatre, elegantly designed by Todd Rosenthal, the play is dazzlingly lit by T.J. Gerckens and features several majestic, lifelike puppets by the Chicago Puppet Studio. The Baby that opens the show, for instance, is a masterpiece of creativity. Amanda Herrmann provides her own artistry in the design and creation of dozens of props and miniatures. Original music was co-composed by Amanda Dehnert and Andre Pluess; he also co-designed the show’s soundtrack with Christopher M. LaPorte. The production is musically directed and accompanied on piano by Leandro Lopez Varady. His tiny orchestra includes the wonderful Greg Hirte on violin, Michal Palzwicz on cello and Constance Volk on woodwinds. 

The cast is composed of five gifted, versatile actors, almost all of them playing multiple roles. Alex Stein makes his Lookingglass debut as the Tin Soldier. His innocence, strength and steadfast determination make his character a lovable new hero for many of the young audience members. Mr. Stein is excellent in this part. Playing several roles, Kasey Foster is particularly lovely and empathetic as the paper doll Ballerina, although she makes a feisty little street urchin, as well. John Gregorio is delightful as, among several roles, the nasty Rat. Newly named Artistic Associate, Anthony Irons is a maniacal menace as the Goblin/Jack-in-the-Box, among many other characters. And, always a delight in any role he undertakes, Christopher Donahue plays the properly starched Edwardian Nursemaid/Cook, adding just the proper amount of coquetry. The actor doubles in several other roles, as well.

Lookingglass Theatre never fails to enchant, mystify and, while impressing its audience, always manages to teach a subtle lesson, or two. All of this while providing some of the most memorable productions in Chicago. This world premiere 60-minute play is no exception. Mary Zimmerman’s stylish family entertainment has been written with an attention to detail and directed with additional flair and finesse. The cast, the musicians and the brilliant technical support are all first-rate and offer Chicago one more extraordinary entertainment choice for the  holidays.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas          

Presented November 7-January 13 by Lookigglass Theatre Company inside the historic Water Tower Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson, Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 312-337-0665 or by going to www.lookingglasstheatre.org.

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