[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Road Theatre Company and BroadStage’s KAIJU, written by Dan Caffrey and directed by Ken Sawyer, running September 25-November 1.
The world premiere of KAIJU at The Road Theatre Company is a triumph of imagination, weird and unfettered love and gorgeously sharp-witted satire.
Co-produced alongside BroadStage as a pilot for the Southern California World Premiere Play Initiative, this beautiful and audacious new comedy by Dan Caffrey effortlessly bridges the gap between the charm of intimate 99-seat theatre and high-concept spectacle. Directed with a masterful touch by Ken Sawyer, the production transforms The Road’s NoHo stage into a vibrant battleground of monsters and ideas as intellectually stimulating as it is wildly entertaining.
KAIJU’s premise is brilliantly absurd: two titanic, mythical monsters have just almost completely leveled a city, munched on or accidentally squished many of its occupants. Yet, instead of a standard apocalyptic thriller, Caffrey uses the smoking ruins of The Valley as a backdrop for a fierce love story, as well as a hilariously pedantic debate about the pretentious nature of art, culture, and high society. It is an insanely clever, meta-theatrical takedown of artistic ego. However, underneath the laughter lies a genuinely pointed examination of power and creative responsibility in our fragile modern world – for both monsters and humans.
Caffrey’s dialogue is sharp, snappy, and deeply resonant for anyone who has ever questioned the purpose of art during a crisis…like the world at present. Director Ken Sawyer utilizes every inch of the Road Theatre’s space to ground this monstrously large concept. He strikes a beautiful balance between the play’s broad, laugh-out-loud comedy and its underlying philosophical weight. Having previously brought hits like The Woman in Black and Lifeline to the Road, Sawyer’s return highlights his innate ability to construct immersive, high-stakes environments that never lose sight of the human elements at the center of the chaos.
KAIJU is anchored by a flawless ensemble cast that handles the fast-paced, witty dialogue with exceptional timing.
Cherish Monique Duke and Leandro Cano command the stage with powerful, multi-layered performances as Apex/Amelia and Goliath/Manual, respectively. They are expertly supported by Gloria Ines, Jon Snow, Billy Baker, Noa Lev-Ari, Ann Hearn, and Sapna Kumar, each bringing a distinct flavor of humor and gravitas to the unfolding devastation. The chemistry among the cast members elevates the play from what could be a simple satire to a deeply engaging human story. They all magically maneuver their characters’ individual journeys through the chaos and the unexpected aftermath with effortless panache and poignance.
Visually, KAIJU is an absolute marvel of technical execution and artistry. The creative team has accomplished something extraordinary on an intimate stage, thanks to Lacey Anzelc’s evocative scenic design and Derrick McDaniel’s dynamic lighting. Nicholas Santiago’s brilliant projection design and Ryan McRee’s rumbling sound design perfectly simulate the terrifying scale of a monster attack. I thought I felt the building move around me, such was the brilliance of their designs. A special mention must go to costume designers Shealyn Biron and Lee Diemer, along with consultant Cerise Preston, whose creature suit designs bring the titular KAIJU to life in a way that is both visually stunning and theatrically inventive.
Ultimately, KAIJU is exactly the kind of fearless, boundary-pushing work that defines the Road Theatre Company.
They always push the boundaries of theatre and art, imagination and storytelling, expertly incubating new and exciting original work. This incredible production is in partnership with BroadStage, another bastion of the arts, and together they have created a polished, heavy-hitting production that deserves a national audience. It is a hilarious, thought-provoking evening of theatre that reminds us all why we look to the stage to make sense of our world, even when that world is being crushed under the feet of giant monsters, or perhaps because of it.
Don’t miss KAIJU, yet another spectacular world premiere at The Road Theatre, running through November 1. It is wonderful to imagine that NoHo has even a little influence on new artists and theatre, particularly as theatre might possibly be the savior of us all…
Tickets:
https://ci.ovationtix.com/35065/production/1280560
Where:
The Road Theatre
10747 Magnolia Blvd, NoHo Arts District
When:
September 25-November 1
There will be captioned performances for the deaf and hard of hearing communities on Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 17.