REVIEW: Defying destiny in Fresh Ink Theatre Company’s ‘Orpheus and the Overworld’
It’s Orpheus and Eurydice with a twist and doesn’t stop there. What hasn’t changed is that a portion of this classic mythological tale still hangs on a song or two.
Written by Dante Gonzales with creative direction by Shira Helena Gitlin, Fresh Ink Theatre Company presented Orpheus and the Overworld live and in person at Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts through Saturday, May 11. This gender bending and semi-interactive production was approximately two hours including a 10 min intermission and was not limited to the stage. Click here for more information.
Though still not a fan of mythology, feeling pretty fortunate to have recently reviewed Hadestown in Boston which is a musical retelling of the classic mythological tale of Orpheus and Eurydice before reviewing Orpheus and the Overworld. Like Hadestown, Orpheus and the Overworld has appeal beyond what fans of mythology would appreciate. Through Orpheus and Eurydice’s tale in Hadestown hung on a song, Orpheus and the Overworld’s story is a more complicated expansion with a few more key players in the mix. Both productions suggest that retelling the tale offers hope that maybe this time the ending might change even if the gods are still in charge.
Some of the highlights of Meg Lynch’s dynamic set design includes a club-inspired heart shaped glowing sign, sparkling couch overlay, a disco ball as well as colorful florals in a cheerful rural setting while Z Weber’s haunting sound design illuminates both the peerless joy and the powerful dread within this unpredictable retelling.
Decked out in sparkling bangle bracelets and red velvet Greek robed flair with imposing combat boots which highlights a portion of Mikayla Reid’s edgy Greek and dynamic costumes, Kulfi Jann depicts Hades, the god of the underworld and reigns over Club Olympus. Joining Hades is Lucy Bertolet as Cora mixing the drinks and Matthew Suchecki’s Apollo mixing the tunes as Rebekah Brunson’s Artemis looks on. This is a new age Hades and this is a new age club, but the snarky banter, gossip, commentary and quips between the gods and their occasional interaction and interference with the retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice have its own amusing moments.
In Hadestown, Orpheus pursued her, but a few things have changed in this retelling. Isabel Ginsberg’s Eurydice is the pursuer though there is love between them. Hailing from California, Eurydice is more of a free spirit and determined to have what she wants though the odds are stacked against her. Elijah Brown’s Orpheus is hesitant, a loner, introspective and perhaps not that into Eurydice because Orpheus is weighed down by not only discovering music, but searching for belonging and identity. Ginsberg and Brown both have compelling vocals and make some beautiful acapella music together. However, love is not the foremost thing on Orpheus’s mind.
Much of this show explores the search for one’s true self, but two who are pretty certain of themselves are Junn as Hades and Brunson as Artemis. The goddess of wild animals, hunt, chastity and the moon, Brunson delivers a bold, daring and self assured performance delivering quite the fiery warning to Brown’s Orpheus that goes to show that Artemis should not be underestimated. Junn partially narrates and navigates this tale and is properly threatening and powerful. Beautiful sun god Apollo amiably portrayed by Suchecki and Bertolet as brilliant jack of all trades Cora have a sweet camaraderie as they search for their true selves which takes them to the most unexpected places.
Though it seems an inconsistent choice to weave science into an enchanted mythological tale, Orpheus and the Overworld extends its world far beyond this classic tale and become its own journey of self discovery while wrestling with one’s past. Orpheus and the Overworld’s contemporary themes offer some insight into growing into oneself and the struggle to defy one’s destiny to land somewhere beyond your control and find peace in whatever lies ahead…even if you’re a god.
With creative direction by Shira Helena Gitlin, Fresh Ink Theatre Company presented Orpheus and the Overworld live and in person at Boston Center for the Arts through Saturday, May 11. The gender bending and semi-interactive production show was approximately two hours including a 10 min intermission and was not limited to the stage. Click here for more information.