Review: Elder Gods (DreamLogic Theatreworks)

Scotty Zacher | February 19, 2012 | 0 Comments

Elder Gods

Written and Directed by Scott McKinsey
Inspired by novella by H.P. Lovecraft
at The Davis, 620 Davis, Evanston (map)
thru March 3 | tickets: $15-$30   | more info

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Science fiction set to stage with ‘Elder Gods’

DreamLogic Theatreworks presents

Elder Gods

Review by Melody Udell

Combine a cult-beloved science fiction story with the love-it-or-hate-it style of promenade staging, and you have the potential for a very divisive night of theater. But that’s a risk DreamLogic Theatreworks, an Evanston-based nonprofit theater group, is willing to take with its latest production, Elder Gods.

The show is based on the novella “At the Mountains of Madness” by acclaimed science fiction king H.P. Lovecraft. (Stephen King and Neil Gaiman count themselves among the legion of writers inspired by his work.) Emerging from this melded genre, Elder Gods has a very specific appeal. Equal parts horror, fantasy and sci-fi, the show invites theater-goers to explore the intrigue of human—and non-human—nature. But at its core, Elder Gods is an ethereal trek through the muck of human existence, leaving us to wonder if we’d rather leave the unknown as it is than risk the madness that comes with knowing the truth.

Luckily, the show’s appeal isn’t only for die-hard science fiction enthusiasts—although that certainly helps. The promenade staging draws in audience members who could feel somewhat disconnected with the material, unfamiliar with Lovecraft’s bizarre theories and over-indulged cosmic imagination. Set in a large, exposed loft space in downtown Evanston, the audience is left free to wander the set, able to choose which angle they’d most like to see the current scene unfold. The simple set design by Lauren Sweeney is transformative without getting in the way of the actors and audience; sitting on a church pew or kneeling beside a psych-ward cot helps theater-goers feel like participants in a scene rather than witnesses.

During the first scene, the audience is treated like students in a classroom, listening to geology professor Dr. William Dyer (Colin Jackson) discuss the Antarctic expeditions of his fellow professors at Miskatonic University. The audience wanders from room to room, learning that Dyer and his co-explorer, Tyler Pistorious’ haunting Riley Danforth, had survived their own terrifying Antarctic expedition and are weary for anyone to return. Professor Albert Moore, played with calculating creepiness by David Sweeney, is nervous that Dyer’s seemingly crazy ramblings will taint the reputation of the school. He vehemently denies any rumors of paranormal activity, despite his own trip to the barren continent that resulted in the mysterious deaths of at least 10 fellow explorers.

The dialogue in Scott McKinsey’s adaptation flows fast; it’s at times difficult for the audience to follow Dyer’s murmured epithets or Danforth’s nonsensical screaming from his hospital bed. But it serves the show’s truly disturbing tone.

As the truth slowly unfolds, it’s clear that this isn’t an ordinary sci-fi yarn. Mythological demi-gods, the purpose of religion and devotional science interweave to create a truly scary and at times baffling theatrical experience.

Elder Gods is an unusual piece that will no doubt find its own cult following. But the staging redeems itself among theater-lovers, and with any luck, we’ll be seeing more inventive, atypical works hit the stages in Chicago theaters.

Rating: ★★½

Elder Gods continues through March 3rd at The Davis, 620 Davis Street, Evanston (map), with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm. Tickets are $15-$30, and are available at the door or online here (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at their website. (Running time: 90 minutes with no intermission)

artists

cast

Ariel Begley (Clara); Colin Jackson (William Dyer); Patricia Lomden (Nurse); Tyler Pistorius (Riley Danforth); J. Preddie Predmore (Charles Starkweather); David Sweeney (Albert Moore)

behind the scenes

Scott McKinsey (Artistic Director); Lauren Sweeney (Executive Designer/Costume Designer); David Sweeney (Managing Director/Technology Designer); Ariel Begley (Movement Coordinator)

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