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Ghost Stories: Crucible the Musible!
By Miss Emily Schwartz
Aerial Choreography by Shayna Swanson
Produced by The Strange Tree Group and Aloft Aerial Dance
937 N. California (enter through the alley)
Chicago, IL
Tickets: 773-598-8240 or http://www.strangetree.org $13
October 13-14,18-21 and 21-25 at 8:00 p.m. (doors open and pre-show activities begin at 7:30)
Running time is one hour with no intermission
Through October 31
Crucible More Halloween Party Than Play
Crucible the Musible is probably at the top of the A-list for unusual and inventive Halloween events this season. It may not fare as well on other lists, however. The production reminds me of a high school talent show combined with a low-flying dance recital. The plot device is thinner than a crepe and the acrobats, while courageous and hard-working, are far from entertaining. As theatre, Crucible is quite marginal, but I have to admit that as a Halloween party it is rather fun.
You all know the story of the Salem witch-hunt that is the basis for this juvenile parody. The story is borrowed and set to borrowed rock hits that provide a series of opportunities for the witches of the Aloft Aerial Dance School to perform some of their acrobatic maneuvers. The musical numbers are rock-n-roll toe-tappers that everyone knows: This Magic Moment, Evil Ways, Witchy Woman, Put a Spell on You, Everything She Does is Magic, etc. It’s feel-good fun with journeymen musicians strumming out the chords while the huge chorus sings the melodies in unison. The audience did not sing along on the evening I was there, but if they had, it would have fit right in. Crucible the Musible is a very inclusive event, even the French horn player was worked into the act.
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And then, there are the acrobatics. They are guaranteed to impress…as acrobatics. The performers have clearly worked hard to master climbing ropes and poles and they perform some quite demanding physical stunts on a trapeze. No one was straining for moves beyond their strength, but it was not exactly Cirque du Soleil either; and even if it were, the moves would be less impressive in the low space of Aloft’s alley garage. Once again inclusive, Crucible managed to make space for jugglers and a stilt walking devil (Alan Roysdon) in the zaney script. What does work at Crucible the Musible is having fun. The whole cast, who engage with the audience from the moment they enter the alley that leads to the theatre, is involved in throwing a trick-or-treat bash. They are genuinely welcoming and happy in a contagious sort of way. There are even Halloween refreshments served up to the audience by an onstage Snack Wench who is really a Snack Witch. The characters are quite funny at times. Liz Ladach-Bark is hilarious as the Snack Witch; Tom Mackey’s drawling bumpkin Grayson is too cute; and Scott Cupper’s sneer as the Reverend Parris France will make you want to give him a slap.
As a Halloween outing for families, Crucible the Musible is hard to beat. The juvenile humor will appeal to kids from 10 and up and they are certain to be engaged by the acrobatics as well. The show runs only a fast-paced hour and it is easy to interact with the Halloween decorated garage. In fact, I think that a more engaged and even costumed audience would add the finishing touch to allow this Crucible come out and live as the Halloween party that it really is.
SOMEWHAT RECOMMENDED
Randy Hardwick
randyontheglobe@yahoo.com for comments
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2007
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