Into the Darkness, created by Collective Unconscious Performance, is a beautiful piece of theatrical work that tells stories of love through music, puppetry and human performance. The show has a dream like ethereal quality to it. David Hanzal is the show's creator, director and the puppet design (Eva Adderly is the Polar Bear puppet designer - which is absolutely beautiful). Hanzal deftly integrates his vision with the original music by Dan Dukich, to tell the stories at the center of this story with truthfulness and humor.
At the center of the story telling was the strong ensemble, comprised of Kayla Dvorak Feld, Anna Hashizume, Leif Jurgensen, Sarah Modena, Steve Modena, Boo Segersin, Mickaylee Shaughnessy and Heather Stone. They worked together well, it is rare that in a group that size you feel a kind of chemistry with the entire team. The movements and transitions very smooth, it felt as though the team had been performing the show for years.
The show is worth seeing from start to finish, although the appearance of the Troll Queen near the end was a real treat. As the days are getting shorter and darker and the weather is getting colder I can think of nothing better that settling down into a small theatrical venue and witnessing stories of love. Seeing the show delivers a kind of coziness you didn't know you needed.
Into the Darkness was the first time that I had seen a work by Collective Unconscious Performance before, but I strongly hope that it will not be my last. The show is playing at the Shakespearean Youth Theatre's space in Vandelia Tower (located right by Lake Monster brewing) now through November 24th. Click here for more information about the show and how to get tickets.
*Photo by Sombath Tran & Jenny Mae Reierson-Naumann, featuring Anna Hashizume