Talented Actors Illustrate Music
The Tim Burton-esque characters are masterfully portrayed by this ensemble of talented actors. Kevin Webb stands out as the cheeky, nasty MC who leads us through the tales and participates as well. Ellen DeSitter shows incredible range through different roles including a deranged, doll-like narrator, and domineering decapitator on stilts. An otherwise mudane story of a boy who dies from fidgeting is punctuated by the captivating Kat Evans and her infectious enthusiasm.
While most of the songs would be forgettable having simply heard them, the strength of the actors brings them to life and creates imagery that will remain in the collective minds of the audience for quite some time. Songs about children getting their thumbs snipped off or children who die from being blown away during rainstorms are certainly not your normal musical themes. This is certainly not your normal musical. It is more of a song cycle than a narrative musical, but it is worth a viewing if you are a musical fan. The onstage band uses unorthodox instruments and brings these odd songs to life brilliantly.
