It almost seems unfair – each time I go to Buntport Theater, I expect something unique, unexpected, clever, hilarious, thoughtful, challenging – in short, I expect brilliance. This would be unfair, except that I have yet to be disappointed. Somehow, the six Buntporters are constantly able to expand what they do – they rarely go in the same direction twice. And their works are not just thrown together – they are complete, well-developed and structured stories that are engaging and insightful. Their latest creation, a musical called Jugged Rabbit Stew, is dark, funny, bizarre, thought-provoking, and edgy.
Jugged Rabbit Stew is about Snowball, a rabbit that is pulled out of a magician’s hat. The twist is that snowball has real magical powers. This makes the shows he does with Alec the Amazing and All-Powerful magician popular and successful – until something goes very wrong. Snowball is not a happy, cute bunny – he is angry, cynical, and mean. He has a bizarre collection of things, which exists as a result of his efforts to make others unhappy. He randomly rearranges body parts on several other characters for the same reason. But when he “collects” a fan of the magic show, he is frustrated that she refuses to be unhappy.
This is a musical, and composer, lyricist, and music director Adam Stone has written a nice variety of songs that fit into the story well. The music is prerecorded, and the quality of the singing is somewhat variable, but certainly good enough for the intent of the show. It also allowed for some very creative and funny ways of using microphones. And as with any good musical, the songs add another layer of emotion and context to the story. Buntport’s collaborative directing is excellent. The formal layout of the action on stage reinforces the interplay between the characters and provides an interesting and constantly changing visual image. The six members of the company are all involved throughout the development, so they understand the story perfectly and can integrate all aspects of the show completely. The pacing is spot-on, the musical numbers are integrated seamlessly and cleverly, and everything operates as a cohesive whole.
The acting is strong, with the story adding challenges that the company rises to. Eric Edborg is Snowball, and performs with a rabbit mask that covers part of his face. He more than makes up for this by using his voice and the rest of his body to communicate. He is angry and bitter, but also captures just enough of the essence of being a rabbit to make the character work without overdoing it. Hannah Duggan is Mystical Marla, the beautiful assistant with misplaced body part problems. Duggan’s movement convinces us that her body is not all her own – resulting in great physical comedy. Evan Weissman is the magician Alec – less his right arm. Weissman is the consummate showman, falling naturally into a presentational announcer’s voice frequently. Brian Colonna is Alec’s Right Arm (don’t try and figure it out – just know that it works). The two work together well, and get into some very funny arguments. Both also handle the restrictions on their movement and expressiveness very well. As the Woman, Erin Rollman is bubbly, enthusiastic, happy, and romantic, but also has more. She adeptly becomes serious as things progress.
As with all aspects of their shows, the six (the five actors listed above and SamAnTha Schmitz “off stage”) design the set, lighting, and costumes. The set, nicely framed by a proscenium of drapes, includes all sorts of things hanging suspended from above, and a floor covered in newspapers. The lighting provides good illumination, and includes some nice effects for some of the songs. The costumes are notable as well; especially Snowball’s mask, and the integrated costumes of Alec and his Arm. In Jugged Rabbit Stew, Buntport creates a sort of alternative universe, which is a lot like our own, but with a few important differences. But while the story exists in a different world, it is true to that world – and the feelings, relationships, and situations are authentic and relate to our world. While this may sound impossible (if you have never been to Buntport), it works flawlessly. The show is about fate and how we deal with what life gives us, and asks the question of whether we can control our destiny – or maybe suggests we can only control it by fulfilling it. It is funny, edgy, deep, unpredictable, and in the end, meaningful – and certainly worth seeing.
-Craig Williamson, June 3, 2010, North Denver Tribune