Published: Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Ancient myths get comic makeover
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Contributed photo
Zanne Gerrard, Kayti Barnett and Renee Gilbert perform in Phoenix’s production of “Thunderbolts and Dunderheads.”
Iris, Goddess of Rainbows, is just this side of a panic attack waiting to see Zeus, King of the Gods.
The word on Mount Olympus is that Iris’ name is on one of Zeus’ thunderbolts. Unless she can talk him out of it, he is about to zap her out of existence for lack of mortal worshippers.
Will she talk him out of it? Or won’t she?
Buckle up for this roller coaster ride at Phoenix Theatre. “Thunderbolts and Dunderheads” by Todd McGinnis mangles time frames, butchers metaphors, train wrecks motivations and turns likelihoods upside down. The moment you think you know what’s next, guess what?
You don’t.
The gags are funny. The suspense works. The pace is fast. Gods are made fools of – how can a premise like that not get your attention?
As for characters, you can’t beat these: a perky Goddess of Rainbows sporting rose-colored glasses; a bratty, all-over-the-boards Zeus running things; a sarcastic, frustrated Hermes for Messenger of the Gods; a vain, dangerously jealous Hera for Queen of the Gods; a quirky, distracted Erroneous Miscellaneous as a Temporarily Acting God of Desire; an Amazon-type, Nordic warrior for Valkyrie, Odin’s official emissary to Zeus; and a strange, dark, brooding figure for Hades, Zeus’ big brother.
McGinnis’ script is solid farce, no question.
The problem on stage isn’t control. Jay D. Irwin’s directing has a handle on what appears to be out of control. There is a clear, easily discernible, upbeat quality to the method behind this zany, fun-filled madness.
Also, the cast is committed: Ted Adams, Kayti Barnett, Scot Garrett, Zanne Gerrard, Renee Gilbert, Craig Matthews and Christian Ver.
I personally would like a little more variety in reactions. The personality traits the characters are tagged with get a little repetitive. Spice things up a little, I say. There is more than one way of expressing egg on your face or caught in the act or “duhhhhh.”
Reactions? Comments? Email Dale Burrows at grayghost7@comcast.net or entertainment@weeklyherald.com.
‘Thunderbolts and Dunderheads’
WHEN: Through Feb. 26
WHERE: The Phoenix Theatre, 9673 Firdale Ave., Edmonds
TICKETS: 206-533-2000, www.phoenixtheatreedmonds.com
The word on Mount Olympus is that Iris’ name is on one of Zeus’ thunderbolts. Unless she can talk him out of it, he is about to zap her out of existence for lack of mortal worshippers.
Will she talk him out of it? Or won’t she?
Buckle up for this roller coaster ride at Phoenix Theatre. “Thunderbolts and Dunderheads” by Todd McGinnis mangles time frames, butchers metaphors, train wrecks motivations and turns likelihoods upside down. The moment you think you know what’s next, guess what?
You don’t.
The gags are funny. The suspense works. The pace is fast. Gods are made fools of – how can a premise like that not get your attention?
As for characters, you can’t beat these: a perky Goddess of Rainbows sporting rose-colored glasses; a bratty, all-over-the-boards Zeus running things; a sarcastic, frustrated Hermes for Messenger of the Gods; a vain, dangerously jealous Hera for Queen of the Gods; a quirky, distracted Erroneous Miscellaneous as a Temporarily Acting God of Desire; an Amazon-type, Nordic warrior for Valkyrie, Odin’s official emissary to Zeus; and a strange, dark, brooding figure for Hades, Zeus’ big brother.
McGinnis’ script is solid farce, no question.
The problem on stage isn’t control. Jay D. Irwin’s directing has a handle on what appears to be out of control. There is a clear, easily discernible, upbeat quality to the method behind this zany, fun-filled madness.
Also, the cast is committed: Ted Adams, Kayti Barnett, Scot Garrett, Zanne Gerrard, Renee Gilbert, Craig Matthews and Christian Ver.
I personally would like a little more variety in reactions. The personality traits the characters are tagged with get a little repetitive. Spice things up a little, I say. There is more than one way of expressing egg on your face or caught in the act or “duhhhhh.”
Reactions? Comments? Email Dale Burrows at grayghost7@comcast.net or entertainment@weeklyherald.com.
‘Thunderbolts and Dunderheads’
WHEN: Through Feb. 26
WHERE: The Phoenix Theatre, 9673 Firdale Ave., Edmonds
TICKETS: 206-533-2000, www.phoenixtheatreedmonds.com