Review: Bad Dreams
Rough Magic Productions takes its audience on a dark and
sometimes scary journey into the mind with its latest work, “Bad
Dreams.”
An original movement piece, “Bad Dreams” explores the human nightmare.
Not the kind with a person taking a final exam and suddenly realizing he or she hasn’t studied or, worse yet, hasn’t attended a class all semester.
No, these dreams are darker, much darker. They address insecurity, fear and even death.
Directed by Joel Egger, “Bad Dreams” played to 50 people Thursday night at The Loft at The Mill.
The one-hour production featured the ensemble cast of Taylor Bendgen, Kelli Chaves, Kara Davidson, Lacey Hannan, William Heafer, Courtney Pearson, Rebecca Reineke and Naohiro Takahashi.
Since it’s a movement piece, no words were spoken — just a few screams here and there and an assortment of noises.
Egger also used a variety of music, ranging from Tool to Ryan Adams to Gorillaz to help tell the vignettes.
The trick with movement is making sure the actors are able to tell their stories through body language and facial expression. For the most part, the ensemble succeeded.
A car crash and funeral scene were particularly effective as was a party scene featuring a lonely party-goer finding comfort and solace by emptying many glasses.
The restaurant scene, however, fell flat. I didn’t realize it was a restaurant until talking to Egger after the program. I thought it was set in a pub or tavern, and I’m still not sure what bad dream or nightmare was being depicted in it.
Aiding the movement was Candace Frank’s eerie costumes. The players came off looking like zombies, which added to the uneasiness of the subject matter.
Overall, “Bad Dreams” was enjoyable. I’ve always felt movement pieces are acquired tastes. But if they are done well, they can be accessible to a wide audience. This one, for the most part, works.
Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.
An original movement piece, “Bad Dreams” explores the human nightmare.
Not the kind with a person taking a final exam and suddenly realizing he or she hasn’t studied or, worse yet, hasn’t attended a class all semester.
No, these dreams are darker, much darker. They address insecurity, fear and even death.
Directed by Joel Egger, “Bad Dreams” played to 50 people Thursday night at The Loft at The Mill.
The one-hour production featured the ensemble cast of Taylor Bendgen, Kelli Chaves, Kara Davidson, Lacey Hannan, William Heafer, Courtney Pearson, Rebecca Reineke and Naohiro Takahashi.
Since it’s a movement piece, no words were spoken — just a few screams here and there and an assortment of noises.
Egger also used a variety of music, ranging from Tool to Ryan Adams to Gorillaz to help tell the vignettes.
The trick with movement is making sure the actors are able to tell their stories through body language and facial expression. For the most part, the ensemble succeeded.
A car crash and funeral scene were particularly effective as was a party scene featuring a lonely party-goer finding comfort and solace by emptying many glasses.
The restaurant scene, however, fell flat. I didn’t realize it was a restaurant until talking to Egger after the program. I thought it was set in a pub or tavern, and I’m still not sure what bad dream or nightmare was being depicted in it.
Aiding the movement was Candace Frank’s eerie costumes. The players came off looking like zombies, which added to the uneasiness of the subject matter.
Overall, “Bad Dreams” was enjoyable. I’ve always felt movement pieces are acquired tastes. But if they are done well, they can be accessible to a wide audience. This one, for the most part, works.
Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.
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