Eclectic Full Contact Theatre continues its string of stellar work with this production of Eugene Ionesco’s RHINOCEROS. The audience is immediately inserted into the world of the show even prior to curtain time. Actors meander around the set in character, giving a sense of what to expect. Whimsical music is played on a bassoon as you enter and find your seats. While the world of the play may seem “far fetched’ when taken literally, no one in attendance will be able to say they were not a part of it.
Andy Blaustein and Nicola Rinow
A Thinly Veiled Metaphor of the Times We Live In
This extremely dark comedy centers around a town where a businessman and his prominent family are on a destructive stampede, and recruiting others to join in their annihilation. We meet characters from drunks to scholars to logicians to women who love cats. We see reactions from each character’s point of view and follow them as they decide to resist or become isolated victims of the mob mentality.
Andy Blaustein and Chris Fowler
Director, Aaron Henrickson, calls the play “unfortunately timely.” It is an apt description of the subject matter given recent events in our country. His direction of this talented ensemble of actors who navigate this extraordinary world with grace shows a keen understanding of the subject matter.
Company
Eclectic Full Contact Theatre Transforms Small Spaces
The intimate setting for this show brings the action directly into the faces of the audience. Given the amount of dialogue to be taken in, this play benefits from the small space immensely. The set is minimal but works cohesively with the production. If you’ve never felt the rumbling of a rhinoceros stampede in a small theatre, this small space will give you the chance you never knew you wanted.
Melissa Reeves
The entire cast handles their characters with competence and reverence. Andy Blaustein carries his character through a complete journey before the audience even realizes it has happened. He handles comedy and intense drama with equal authority. Jennifer L. Mickelson steals Act One as the logician trying to sort out thoughts for the town. Her mastery of language and presentation of what most would view as a dull topic is anything but boring.
Justin Tsatsa and Andy Blaustein
This is not a light night out at the theatre. The play is heavy with dialogue and makes no attempt to help you forget what is going on in the world. It is meant to make you confront the way people think in times of crisis. It is highly entertaining while also being intelligent and thought-provoking.
