“
. . . pastoral, pastoral-comical, historical-pastoral,
tragical-historical, tragical-comical-historical-pastoral. . . .”
—Polonius, Hamlet, act II, scene 2
Especially pop genres. His latest, The Light Fantastic—getting its
world premiere now in a witty production directed by Gus Menary for
Jackalope Theatre—takes him into horror, satanic division.
Menary and his large staff of designers pick up nicely on that energy. More
often than not this staging comes across as the most sophisticated piece of
backyard theater you’re ever likely to see, complete with scary-cool
effects and faux-Hollywood titles achieved on a budget. It’s a testament to
the whole concept of Chicago storefront theater that Jackalope can simply
and convincingly pull off a classic horror-film moment like the one where a
malevolent presence makes everything in the house move on its own.
Through 6/16: Thu-Sat 8 PM, Sun 3 PM, Jackalope Theatre, Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N. Broadway, jackalopetheatre.org, $30, $20 students and seniors.
