Jackalope Theatre Presents THE LIGHT FANTASTIC Review

When an attempted home invasion turns violent, Grace (Paloma Nozika) experiences a supernatural miracle. However, she soon learns that this gift isn't without its costs, as she enters into negotiations with a malevolent force (Andrew Burden Swanson). Ike Holter's The Light Fantastic, now receiving its world premiere at Jackalope Theatre, offers audiences a genre grab bag replete with Holter's trademark approach to dialogue. In Artistic Director Gus Menary's production, each genre gets its day in the sun (or, more aptly, night). The Light Fantastic combines elements of horror, melodrama, comedy, and suspense into an entertaining evening of theatre with some delightfully bizarre twists and turns.

Jackalope Theatre Presents a Genre Mash-Up

Moments of The Light Fantastic bring to mine tropes and conceits from a wide range of popular entertainment: fans of It Follows, The Twilight Zone, Twin Peaks, and Stranger Things will all find plenty to love in this world premiere. One thing Menary’s production nails from the get-go is a strong sense of mood, an important element shared by the aforementioned films and television shows. From Sotirios Livaditis’ scenic design to Ben Zeman’s 80s-horror projections and Steve Labedz’s pulsating soundtrack, each design choice perfectly complements Holter’s many chosen genres. A realistic depiction of the living room, dining room, front door, and porch, Livaditis’ set has just enough nooks and halls to make you wonder what’s lurking just around the corner. The front door’s prominent placement also gets plenty of mileage in this production, thanks to some fun stage magic courtesy of Brett Schneider.

The Light Fantastic Goes All In On Fun

You can tell watching The Light Fantastic that Holter must have had a blast writing it. This translates to an evening where audience members seated near you are likely to be crying out in surprise one moment and laughing at Holter’s fast-talking, barb-tongued characters the next. To be fair to the play’s talented cast, each member of the ensemble also seems to be having a ball with all of the play’s deliciously pulpy events—Brianna Buckley’s late-play monologue to a tape recorder is a hysterical departure from the play’s darker machinations, and Tommy Malouf’s charming performance as an oddball doctor is also a treat. For many, this will be enough reason to enjoy the piece, although some fans of Holter’s more substantial work may find that the play’s characters and story could be finessed to feature clearer stakes and more emotional depth. For this reviewer, such concerns were mostly quelled by the piece’s unique offering and strong production design. If you’re someone who prefers a little magic (and a little horror) with your realism, The Light Fantastic is just the ticket.

Brent Ervin-Eickhoff is a director, writer, and educator based in Chicago, IL. He has worked with A Red Orchid Theatre, Silk Road Rising, Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co., Facility Theatre, and others as a director, assistant director, and in a variety of artistic capacities. Brent served as Co-Artistic Director and then Managing Director of Blue Goose Theatre Ensemble for three years, of which he was a founding member. His productions of Herculaneum and Bison? Bison. Bison! with Blue Goose were praised by critics and audiences. Bison? Bison. Bison! was selected and performed as part of Chicago’s Night Out in the Parks Initiative. An award-winning filmmaker, Brent’s films have screened as part of the Frog Baby Film Festival and Indianapolis 48 Hour Film Project. His play Puget Sound was workshopped as a staged reading as part of A Red Orchid Theatre’s Incubator Program in 2017. Brent graduated from Ball State University Magna Cum Laude with degrees in Directing and Theatre Education, as well as Ball State’s prestigious Academic Honors in Writing.

www.brentasmagoria.com

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One thought on “Jackalope Theatre Presents THE LIGHT FANTASTIC Review – Old-School Horror from a New-School Playwright”

Steve Labedz says:

May 23, 2018 at 8:51 am

Hey! Thanks for the nice review. I wanted to clear up some things though, Ben Zeman did the projections and I want to make sure he gets credit. Also, the B in my name is not capitalized. Thanks!