By Manning Harris
fmanningh@gmail.com
Serenbe Playhouse is currently presenting a world premiere adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen story “The Snow Queen” through Dec. 23. The show has been sold out but additional performances have been added, but I would try and get tickets now if you can.
Director Brian Clowdus has made no secret of his vast affection for a little Disney film called “Frozen,” which has become the highest grossing animated film of all time ($1.3 billion in worldwide revenue and counting). Perhaps you’ve seen it.
Serenbe, known for their “site specific” outdoor productions, including “Hair” and this year’s “Oklahoma,” has once again taken to the woods, as it were, for their version of the Andersen story. Yes, it’s outdoors, in December. And no, you will not freeze (unless you fall under the icy allure of the Snow Queen herself); the show’s running time is approximately an hour. You even move about a bit—but not too much—fret not.
Visually “The Snow Queen,” adapted by Rachel Teagle, is incredible. Listen to costume designer Erik Teague describe the title character in the current issue of American Theatre Magazine: “It was important to me to illustrate her as a fearsome, otherworldly creature who is strange and yet regally beautiful.” He also mentions the images of snow, ice, and broken glass.
He has succeeded admirably: Brittany Ellis is stunning and an instantly iconic image of the Queen. Once you see her, you won’t forget her. But she is alone and isolated; will she remain that way?
There’s a brother and sister. Gerda (Allie Southwood) and Kai (Will Skelton) become enmeshed in the Snow Queen’s plans. Gerda attempts to save her brother from capture and dehumanization. There’s the theme of the power of love over icy cynicism. And Gerda has courage; she needs it here.
There are trolls and other creatures lurking about; some helpful, some not. The following actors play double roles: Lauren Chamblin, Robert Lee Hindsman, and Alex Towers. They inadvertently serve as our guides and they, too, are visually arresting.
“The Snow Queen” can be enjoyed by both children and adults; there are themes of the value of human connection that resonate strongly. In Andersen’s story an evil troll made a magic mirror that distorts what it reflects: It fails to reflect the good and beautiful aspects of people and magnifies their undesirable qualities. The mirror shatters and is scattered; consider the possibilities.
Brian Clowdus and Ryan Oliveti are the set designers. Choreography is by Bubba Carr; Courtney Greever is the stage and production manager. Jason Polhemus is the sound designer; Bryan Rosengrant does lighting. Kudos to Jarrad Hogg for his brilliant make-up design.
A personal note: On the evening I saw the show, a small, silent drone appeared in the night sky above me. I said nothing; the two friends I was with didn’t notice it. But it was there—briefly. For a moment I thought this is another incredible Serenbe special effect, or the Snow Queen herself. There were lights on it.
I suppose you’d say “The Snow Queen” is what they call presentational theatre, or perhaps performance art. It’s not a full-length play, as I mentioned. But there is no other theatre in town that is even attempting to do what the imaginative folks at Serenbe Playhouse are doing.
Go early; “the woods are lovely, dark, and deep”; get your directions before you go. You’ll have an experience quite unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
For more information, visit serenbeplayhouse.com.
“But there is no other theatre in town that is even attempting to do what the imaginative folks at Serenbe Playhouse are doing.”
This reviewer needs to get out more. If they were to, they’d easily find that not only is this statement not true, but that experiential theatre is being done with even more creativity and artistic backbone at Saiah Theatre and Out of Hand.
Though Serenbe hires truly fantastic designers, all I’ve seen there has been icing and no cake. They’re still a young company. I’m hoping they’ll learn as they grow.
“But there is no other theatre in town that is even attempting to do what the imaginative folks at Serenbe Playhouse are doing.”
This reviewer needs to get out more. If they were to, they’d easily find that not only is this statement not true, but that experiential theatre is being done with even more creativity and artistic backbone at Saiah Theatre and Out of Hand.
Though Serenbe hires truly fantastic designers, all I’ve seen there has been icing and no cake. They’re still a young company. I’m hoping they’ll learn as they grow.