Lookingglass Theatre presents 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEAS Review: A Visually Stunning Journey into the Deep Blue Sea

Posted on by Lauren Katz

To what lengths would you go to understand the unknown? Would you lie about your identity? Would you sacrifice the lives of those who have pledged loyalty? At what point is it too far?

Lookingglass Theatre's World Premiere asks these questions and more as they invite audiences to dive deep into the ocean alongside the submarine Nautilus, with a crew that struggles to answer the very same ones and more.

Lookingglass Theatre presents World Premiere of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Based on the books by Jules Verne, 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas follows the mysterious Captain Nemo (played by Lookingglass Ensemble Member Kareem Bandealy with a dark subtlety), as he looks back and shares his adventures on his giant submarine, Nautilus. The audience receives a window primarily into his time spent with his crew, along with Professor Morgan Aronnax (Lookingglass Artistic Associate Kasey Foster), her colleague Brigette Conseil (Lanise Antoine Shelley), and Ned Land (portrayed by Lookingglass Artistic Associate Walter Briggs with spot-on comedic timing).

As the stage transforms and offers the “true story” of what happened so many years ago, the aged Nemo asks those listening not to judge too harshly. The clock turns back to years prior in London, when Aronnax and Conseil agree to set out on an ocean voyage and join as the academics with the knowledge of what they think they will find. When their ship sinks and Nemo’s submarine rescues them, they have to decide whether or not they are willing to accept his dark and at times terrifying methods of exploration. Slowly we learn what Nemo was willing to lose – from ethics to the lives of his crew – in order to discover the truths of the ocean. The team set out to find the monsters, but in the end, we are asked to consider the definition of monstrosities – is it the great unknown? Or perhaps the truth of the lengths we are willing to go to find answers? As the audience witnesses not only Nemo, but also Aronnax begin to risk more for the potential of knowledge (a struggle that Foster shares with a brutal honesty), that definition quickly changes.

Micah Figueroa, Ensemble Member Kareem Bandealy, Edwin Lee Gibson, and Glenn-Dale Obrero. Liz Lauren
Lanise Antoine Shelley and Artistic Associate Kasey Foster. Liz Lauren

Adapted by Lookingglass Ensemble Member David Kersnar and Althos Low, the production is set up much like a travel log. Each new instalment is accompanied by a date, as well as a description of what the explorers found in that area of the ocean. When the crew reaches a new destination, there is an announcement throughout the theater as if we are all aboard the submarine. While this structure is at times a little slow, it also offers a small sense of realism to a story that covers a topic difficult to fully imagine. The ocean is vast, and as such, there is certainly much to cover as Nautilus travels deeper and deeper below – a challenge which the design team impressively conquers.

Clever Design

Helmed by co-adaptor and director David Kersnar, the artistic team collaborates to bring the ocean to stunning life in Lookingglass Theatre’s intimate space. Much of the story takes place aboard the Nautilus, which is meant to be the largest submarine imaginable. Scenic Designer Todd Rosenthal’s creative set at first showcases a wooden platform with a map of the world laid out on top, which is cleverly utilized earlier in the tale when Aronnax plans out her exploration voyage with the Navy. When transitioning from land to submarine, the platform lifts to create a bottom level, and the sensation of the crew traveling below the map into the unknown.

The story has a playful adventure-like quality to the writing, and the team utilizes puppetry to help bring that element to the surface. To help convey the submarine covering distance, Puppet Designers Blair Thomas, Tom Lee, and Chris Wooten a small puppet performance that occurs throughout towards the back of the stage. Colorful waves rise, and a puppeteer brings on a small submarine that travels amongst them. While the play is at times frightening with the introduction of new sea creatures, the story itself is meant to be an exciting adventure full of wonder, and the puppets help lighten the storytelling.

Artistic Associate Walter Briggs, Artistic Associate Kasey Foster, and Lanise Antoine Shelley. Philip R. Smith

Stunning Choreography

 Lookingglass Artistic Associates Christine A. Binder (Lighting Designer) and Rick Sims (Sound Designer) push the oceanic elements over the top through their designs, especially when combined with Circus Choreographer Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi’s contributions.

Artistic Associate Walter Briggs, Artistic Associate Kasey Foster, and Lanise Antoine Shelley. Liz Lauren

One moment in particular that marks this successful collaboration occurs when Morgan’s ship drowns and she, along with Ned and Brigette, find their way to Captain Nemo’s submarine. The drowning process however is drawn out, and Kersnar and Hernandez-DiStasi collaborate to create a breathtaking image on stage utilizing rope choreography. Morgan, Brigette, and Ned lift into the air, and Binder fills the room with blues and greens. Thomas, Lee, and Wooten utilize puppets to bring fish into the space, and along with Sims’ soundscape, the team transforms this scene into a gorgeous and unforgettable moment.

An aesthetically striking stage and spectacular aerial choreography make 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea a night to remember.

RECOMMENDED

Note: This is now added to the Picture this Post round up of BEST PLAYS IN CHICAGO, where it will remain until the end of the run. Click here to read – Top Picks for Theater in Chicago NOW – Chicago Plays PICTURE THIS POST Loves.

Artistic Associate Walter Briggs, Lanise Antoine Shelley, and Artistic Associate Kasey Foster. Liz Lauren

Cast

Kareem Bandealy          Captain Nemo

Walter Briggs                 Ned Land

Thomas J. Cox               Gideon Spillet, J.B. Hobson, Guard, Boatswain

Joe Dempsey                  Pencroff, Farragut

Michah Figueroa            Harbert, Ensign Smith, Nicholas

Kasey Foster                   Professor Morgan Aronnax

Edwin Lee Gibson          Cyrus Smith, Constable Weaver, Engineer

Glenn-Dale Obrero         Kin-Fo, Mr. Drax, First Mate

Lanise Antoine Shelley   Brigette Conseil

Creative Team

Playwright/Director     David Kersnar

Playwright                       Steve Pickering (Althos Low)

Scenic Design                 Todd Rosenthal

Costume Design            Sully Ratke

Lighting Design             Christine A. Binder

Sound Design                 Rick Sims

Circus Choreographer   Sylvia Hernandez-Distasi

Puppet Designers           Blair Thomas, Tom Lee, Chris Wooten

Rigging Designer            Isaac Shoepp

Properties Designer       Amanda Herrmann

This Event Ended

Photo Credit: Liz Lauren and Philip R. Smith

 

Note: An excerpt of this review appears in Theatre in Chicago

 

 

About the Author: 

Lauren Katz is a freelance director and dramaturge, and new to the Chicago Theatre Scene. She recently moved from Washington DC, where she worked with Mosaic Theater Company of DC in Company Management, as well as directed around town with various theaters. 

Click here to read more Picture this Post stories by Lauren Katz.

Save

Share this:
     

Make a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *