In this play, we join the crew just as they come ashore for a “snark hunt.” The set and lighting alone sets your mind racing as to what you may be seeing next. It could easily be used for a Dr. Seuss set, or shall we dare say “Alice in Wonderland.” The costumes are so full of color that, at first, it is hard to concentrate on the characters. The play is performed with great gusto by the cast.
| "...nonsense poem come to life... performed with great gusto by the cast...showcases Dell' Arte’s technical and artistic capabilities." |
The first time the Bellman breaks out in song and the cast follows in harmony it is just a delight. Gaines in the captain’s costume definitely gives the feeling of leadership, and directs the action. Braidwood’s Baker is well-played and gives a feeling of vulnerability and confusion, while making a false show of courage.The ease with which the bravado is broken by simply saying the word “boojum” is delightful. Justiniano’s Butcher (who only kills Beavers) is one of the highlights of this performance.
There are several things you learn from this play: 1) never underestimate the curative qualities of a high velocity muffin, 2) A “bandersnatch” can get a very tall man into a very small trunk and 3) a Baker’s problems can all be solved by a euphoric dissolution into a bubble bath.
This play “The Hunting of the Snark” is a stage adaptation by Mulford and like the original poem is pure nonsense. The difficulty is that not unlike a Stephen King short story that is stretched into a full-length film, the script becomes less than fulfilling. The upside of the play is that it is aimed at children during this holiday time and the colorful costumes and busy production quite entrances the children.
The play is directed by Michael Fields with assistant direction by Chris Beaulieu.Tim Gray is musical director/composer; set construction is by Jeremy Harris; costume design and construction, Lydia Forman; lighting design and tour technician, Michael “Spike” Foster;and production manager is Tisha Sloan.
If you go, get there early because of the anticipated large turnout. If you read the poem to your children before you go it will add to their entertainment, but don’t even try to explain what it is all about. Even Lewis Carroll when asked stated, “I don’t know.”
The play definitely showcases Dell Arte’s technical and artistic capabilities.
Dell'Arte's 'Hunting of the Snark' whimsical family fun
Beti Trauth/For the Times-Standard, December 2007
In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping season, there's a wonderful way to give yourself a gift: Take in a performance of Dell'Arte's wacky and whimsical 27th annual holiday show, “The Hunting of the Snark.”
Although the company always comes up with fresh ideas for the subject matter of these yearly productions, this time they've outdone themselves with the sheer creativity of the end result.
Based on the nonsensical poem by Lewis Carroll, the text adaptation by Toby Mulford (a student in the school's MFA program), successfully captures the spirit of the paradoxical material and turns it into an enchanting mixture of mind-boggling, often hilarious, spoken and sung imagery.
| "...successfully captures the spirit of the paradoxical material and turns it into an enchanting mixture of mind-boggling, often hilarious, spoken and sung imagery." |
The quirky but endearing characters, are played to the hilt by a dazzling cast of eight comprised of Mulford and seven other MFA students. They are individually and collectively beyond brilliant as they inhabit the ensemble of curious characters Carroll created.
They have somehow (never explained but completely irrelevant) banded together to seek out and capture the dreaded Snark -- a legendary creature feared by all, although seen by none. Just what they would do with it, if and when they actually found it, is also something that's not been figured out. What for? It's all nonsense anyway.
Directed with tongue-in-cheek delight by Dell'Arte Producing Director,
Michael Fields, the production showcases every aspect of performance skill that the school is famous for: physical theater dexterity, exaggerated comic caricature portrayals, polished singing and dancing, and world-class actors who have become even better by studying with the school's top-notch professional instructors.
All of the above is on display from the moment that the lights come up on the characters as they lean as one into the wind -- standing on board an imaginary ship as it sails to seek the elusive Snark.
The set design by Jody Sekas is as much fun as it is functional, with bits and pieces of representative items carefully strewn about with cartoon-like abandon. The equally over-the-top costumes (that make you smile just looking at them), were the clever creations of
Lydia Foreman.
Everything you see on stage visually enhances everything you hear coming out of the actors' mouths. Don't try and analyze it, simply enjoy it. That's what nonsense is all about.
The original music for the show was composed by
Tim Gray, with lyrics based on Carroll's words and adapted further by Mulford. Additional music was also created by the acting/singing ensemble -- and everything sung is acapella. In addition, sounds made by some of the blocking and dancing moves become part of the music.
The roles, all beautifully played, are: Mulford as Banker, Walt Gaines as Bellman, Kate Braidwood as Baker, Kathryn Zdan as Billiard Marker,
Zuzka Sabata as Barrister,
Nick Trotter as Bonnet Maker, Nathaniel Justiniano as Butcher, and (I must admit, my favorite) Estela Garcia as Beaver. Although they aren't friends when the hunt begins, they settle their differences. By the end of their journey, they have come together as one big, sweetly bizarre family.