4/23/2008 11:48:00 AM Birds soar as one in KCPT production
Alia Stevens plays Nightingale, the lover, in KCPT’s production of “Conference of the Birds,” a 12th-century Persian poem adapted for the stage by Peter Brook and Jean-Claude Carričre.
Theater is a risky art. If one person drops the ball, the whole thing can collapse like a swing on a rotten tree branch. But in Key City Public Theatre's latest production, "Conference of the Birds," the flock of 11 actors soars so well together under Marc Weinblatt's direction that it's easy to forget only the hoopoe (DD Wigley) wants to take the journey.
In the story, the hoopoe gathers all of the birds in the world in a U.N. meeting of sorts and implores them to join her in the long trek to see the Simorgh, the king of the birds. "Simorgh," by the way, is a mythical Iranian bird similar to a phoenix, and its Persian translation means "30 birds."
Each bird is afraid to travel - first over a vast desert, then beyond seven deep and strange valleys. And for what? Each bird is as happy as he knows he can be in his current state, and the journey is sure to be arduous at best.
"Why give up our peaceful pleasures?" one asks.
They do, of course, and it's a real pleasure to see them, in all of their plumed glory, forge on despite their moments of despair, because the stage movement, designed by Maureen Freehill, is superbly dance-like.
Although this ensemble works so well together that its monographic nature is indisputable, some individual performances were especially charming. Sam Cavallaro's sparrow performance was the apex of fear personified, And Heather Poulsen's proud and predatory falcon, Wigley's ringleader hoopoe and Rebecca May's vain peacock were spot-on avian. Cast members have done a great job of learning their individual bird squawks, quacks and cooing.
Behind the scenes, set designer Kevin Coker and lighting designer Albert Mendez have put forth some amazing work, and Erin McNamara and her team of assistants and stitchers have created 22 costumes that are uniquely fanciful and beautiful (and also available for purchase through a silent auction in the lobby).
What we have here is an esoteric poetic script that makes this experience different for each member of the audience. Not everyone will agree on what "just happened" upon emerging from the theater, but everyone should find something personal to take away after the play's conclusion. Enjoy the flight.
Sponsored by Belltower Art, "Birds" is the second mainstage production of Key City Public Theatre's 50th anniversary season. Performances run from April 18 to May 10, on Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Informal "AfterWords" discussions with members of the cast and artistic staff follow all Thursday and Sunday performances.
General admission is $15, $10 for students. Advance ticket sales, FLEXpass vouchers and gift passes are handled by Quimper Sound, 230 Taylor St.
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