LANGLEY – Entering the lobby of the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, you hear laughter from the audience inside; the clowns and the juggler are warming up the audience. You can almost smell the popcorn and hear the one-man band entertaining the people waiting to get in. There’s a cozy feeling as you’re introduced to life at the circus as soon as you enter the Big Top.
The spotlights are flitting over the theater, then come to rest on the show barker. Jason Dittmer transports you back to Barnum &Bailey’s Greatest Show on Earth. Our entertainment about to start, there’s hushed anticipation: “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. …” The magic begins.
“Lillian in Limbo,” written by Tom Churchill, tells the story of Lilllan Leitzel, a famous trapeze artist in the 1920s. There is a brief biography in the program. The play picks up the story when Lillian falls and dies 2 days later.
The story begins to unfold within a variety of mediums. The set is very simple; there are two trapezes and a long green silken scarf-rope hanging centerstage that is cleverly managed when not in use, draped on either side of the stage.
The use of light plays up shadows and silhouettes. There is actual footage of these early trapeze artists projected onto the backdrop as well as some still photos of Lillian as a little girl.
The music, composed by Ed Gottstein, is a skillful way of keeping us at the circus. You can hear a variety of instruments – the calliope, the organ, drum rolls and the clashing of cymbals, all played on the keyboard.
Lillian married Alfredo Codona, member of the famous Codona Brothers circus troupe. The brothers are fine looking in their leotards. Mark Therien and David Mayer are true acrobats. They speak and swing at the same time, and it’s a pleasure to watch them.
Lillian and Alfredo’s marriage was a stormy one marked by many separations. That is creatively illustrated by a reading of their letters to each other featuring easy transition of the spotlights and the fading in and out of voices.
Laura Persaud as Lillian climbs that scarf-rope as if there were steps to guide her, assuredly hanging upside down and appearing to be suspended in midair. It’s awesome to watch; so captivated was Friday’s audience you could hear a pin drop, and when the position was completed we had to be prompted to applaud.
Mabel, the dutiful maid, suffered years of verbal abuse from Lillian. She was fired and rehired every other day, a very tolerant soul aided by the occasional use of “liquor for the spirits.” Kathy Stanley is a delight in this role.
Aunt Tina (K. Sandy O’Brien), herself in limbo, first appears on a balcony. Tina and Lillian’s mother had been acrobats at the end of the 19th century. O’Brien is superb as Aunt Tina, stately and funny in turn.
Phaedra Pascoe is marvelous in her roll as Vera, Lillian’s nemesis and Alfredo’s lover. She has a natural ease while performing and also maintains a mischievous demeanor when she’s around Lillian.
The juggler, Matt Hoar, is a fire-eater too. His juggling skills were most appreciated when he was throwing daggers and lit torches in the air. He also performs outside at intermission.
Dwight Zelm makes Landolf the clown a caring soul as Lillian’s confidant.
It’s plain to see that a great deal of hard work has gone into this production on and off stage. There are many things to watch and assimilate with “Lillian in Limbo,” as with the real circus. Bravo.
And there is no net!
Mark Therien stars as Alfredo Codona in “Lillian in Limbo.”
“Lillian in Limbo”: 7:30 p.m. April 22, 23, 29 and 30 and 2 p.m. matinee April 24, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, 565 Camano Ave., Langley. $15, $12 senior, $10 youth, $8 matinee. 360-221-8268, 800-638-7631; www.wicaonline.com.
Review
“Lillian in Limbo”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and April 29 and 30 and 2 p.m. matinee April 24, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, 565 Camano Ave., Langley. $15, $12 senior, $10 youth, $8 matinee. 360-221-8268, 800-638-7631; www.wicaonline.com.
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