1-12-JR-Fairytale

J. Michael Feldman	It is said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results each time. WRONG! The true definition of insanity are the antics performed by J. Michael Feldman and the troupe of crazies that currently inhabit the space at the Matrix Theatre. Feldman opens the show introducing himself as Percy Rutheford who is going to share some stories with the audience. Even before the show starts, the props tell you that things are going to be a little skewed, and when the stories begin your suspicions are validated by the the nutty frolicking on stage. And nutty it is, as the opening scene deals with two squirrels who start out as friends, become lovers and when old jealousy creeps in, they discover something about relationships. Along the way there is a turtle and a hippo, who become the new love interests but that too eventually fades. Why does this seem to imitate life so much? After all, they're only squirrels.
As the show moves on we are introduced to a bi-polar bear who befriends a co-dependent Eskimo, along with a penguin and a talking glacier (we had no idea glaciers could talk). This one had a gruesome resolution but not as dark as when a bee makes it's way on stage and because of its perceived sting threat gets swatted with newspapers, books and eventually stomped with shoes. And the poor bee just wanted to get from point A to point B, but its reputed sting got him squashed.
Courtney Pauroso - J. Michael Feldman	One of the darker sketches is when two gay termites who just got married drop in to visit their friend the spider, who also just got married. When they meet the husband spider they immediately suspect he is gay, and go through all kinds of machinations to try to prove it. In the end, the spiders consummate their marriage to prove he is not gay, but the result is tragic for the male spider. Feldman is aided by Puppeteers who manipulate stuffed animals and other props in many clever ways. Jess McKay, Matt Cook and Tina Huang are the primary manipulators, with Eileen Mulanee and Courtney Pauroso adding some hilarious characterizations to the show. All this hilarity is not for just for laughs. Like most satire, there is an underlying moral lurking in the background and in this show it is not as subtle as some of the ancient fairy tales.
In fact, Feldman actually moralizes some little lesson after each sketch, adding a twist to it but making certain the point gets across to the audience. Stephen Rowan designed the props and costumes which are often as funny as the skit. We especially enjoyed the centipede who was unloading groceries from his car and manages to drop and spill the loads as he tries to carry the many bags in his appendages. No doubt that Feldman has a genius for seeing the absurdities of life and his choice of depicting them through animals and other non-human entities is inspired. No matter how many layers he uses to cover reality, one can suspect the intended target and half the fun is connecting what one sees on stage to real life experiences one may have had. The SRO crown on opening weekend gave the troupe a standing ovation. You should go see what all the shouting is about!
The show will run through February 11, 2012. For tickets and information go to: www.inkwelltheater.com Comments? Write to us at: Letters@ReviewPlays.Com