Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents the U.S. Premiere of THE LORD OF THE RINGS – A Musical Tale.
Both diehard Tolkien fans and complete novices to Middle Earth will enjoy the epic storytelling in Chicago Shakes’ latest production. The creative team of Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus (books and lyrics) bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved fantasy from page to stage. Hobbits, a wizard, a dwarf, an elf and men unite on a quest to destroy a powerful ring. This unlikely Fellowship creates an incomparable alliance. Individually and collectively, their harrowing journey will force each to confront evil forces in the world and within themselves.
Tolkien penned an odyssey. And the resulting play is complex and long. Yet, under the masterful direction of Paul Hart, THE LORD OF THE RINGS is transfixing! Channeling his inner Gandalf, Hart orchestrates spellbinding storytelling. It starts with the joyful simplicity of a birthday party in The Shire. Many of the amazingly talented ensemble perform in dual roles as actors and musicians (supervised by Mark Aspinall and directed by Michael McBride). In the initial scene, it adds to the festivities as the hobbits create their own folksy sound. Later, the elves will strum up magic with dreamy harmonies. The ensemble as musicians keeps the transitions seamless. In particular, a spunky Eileen Dolan (Merry) and endearing Ben Matthew (Pippin) make schlepping a cello and guitar on a hike look natural and effortless.
Along with the music, the visual is also quite mesmerizing. Simon Kenny (scenic, properties and costume design) dresses the hobbits in homespun village garb and the elves in colorful, woven silk tunics. Kenny keeps the Fellowship in distinct, personalized warrior attire. And a personal favorite is Galadriel (played by a stunning Lauren Zakrin) draped in gold finery. Majestic! And that’s just what the humans are wearing! There is also incredible puppetry (Charlie Tymms, Ashleigh Cheadle, Lindsey Noel-Whiting) mingled into the mystical saga. An oversized, hairy, leggy monster is unnerving.
This show is a designer showcase spectacle! Choreographer and Movement Director Anjali Mehra has hobbits doing regular sweet, foot-tapping greetings and combatants doing ninja-style acrobatics. Mehra has a scene-stealing Tony Bozzutto (Gollum) slithering and crawling on the floor, the walls, and the rafters. Bozzutto is a marvel as a creepy and hilarious ghoul. His exit scene is particularly astonishing with designer magic (George Reeve-projection, Rory Beaton-lighting, Adam Fisher and Nicholas Pope-sound). The simulation of falling is riveting!
Although this show is a bountiful, sensory feast, what’s a quest without a hero? Spencer Davis Milford (Frodo) is THE hero for troubled times. A bright-eyed Milford radiates sincerity, modesty and a true grit to save-the-world-no-matter-what… even at personal sacrifice. And just as Milford is the chosen one, Michael Kurowski (Samwise) is THE friend behind the leader. A plucky Kurowski is the steadfast, truth teller everyone needs supporting their purpose and questioning their tactics. The entire ensemble is terrific especially a commanding Will James Jr. (Aragorn), the captivating Tom Amandes (Gandalf), and an amusing Rick Hall (Bilbo).
This story is a lot… to look at, to decipher and to enjoy. And even though the pace felt right for most of the Homeric tale, the last twenty minutes seemed to ramble to the conclusion. Awkward pauses seemed to indicate the ending and prompted a smattering of premature clapping. Ultimately, LORD OF THE RINGS – A Musical Tale engages on multiple dimensions. There are inside jokes for Tolkien-heads, countless virtual reality-like experiences for thrill-seeking adventurers and captivating storytelling for those of us just craving solid entertainment.
Running Time: Three hours and ten minutes includes an intermission
At Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier
Based on the books by J.R.R. Tolkien
Books and lyrics by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus
Original music by A.R. Rahman, Varttina and Christopher Nightingale
Choreographer and Movement Director Anjali Mehra
Directed by Paul Hart
Music Director and Keyboard Programmer Michael McBride
Performances are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7pm
Wednesdays at 1pm
Saturdays, Sundays at 2pm
Thru September 1st
For more information or tickets
Photography by Liz Lauren
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