The Strange Things We Inherit

White Rooster

Drawing from a Chinese legend told by family during the early 1900’s, multitalented Lookingglass Ensemble member, Matthew Yee, has written, composed the music and directed this strange and fascinating tale. It’s a story filled with fantasy and folklore. Mr. Yee’s play is an original, incredibly inventive saga that weaves together ghosts, puppets, movement and music. And at its core, Mathew Yee’s two-act drama, liberally laced with plenty of dark humor, is a tale of love, loss and the strange things we inherit.

After a devastating tragedy leaves a young woman totally bereft and confused, Min finds herself sad, lonely and haunted. A world of restless spirits, eternal hunger, ancient curses and magical family traditions draws the girl deeper into an adventure that baffles the mind and the senses. June, Min’s restless ghostly twin sister, haunts the attic of their home; and Pong, her handsome and musical fiancee, has suddenly been tragically killed. Now both characters walk the earth, with Pong transformed into an enchanted white rooster. The families of Min and Pong, as well as several other characters, all lend a hand as Min tries to traverse this confusing, often frightening, Wonderland. And like Alice, Min falls down a rabbit hole into a frightening world of wonder.

WHITE ROOSTER is not only the premiere of another of Matthew Yee’s dramatic works at Lookingglass (his first play LUCY & CHARLIE’S HONEYMOON, which debuted at Lookingglass three years ago), it’s his first time as director. Often there’s a disconnect when a playwright attempts to direct his own play. But Yee has done an exceptional job of taking the reins in staging his play and drawing out such powerful performances from his talented cast. He’s also taken great pains to emphasize the much-welcome dark comic elements of his script. Matthew has also inspired traditional and shadow puppetry throughout the play, while partnering with artists who color the atmosphere with moody Gothic folk rock melodies and spiritual lighting and sound effects. Mr. Yee has accomplished an enormous feat, of which he should be very proud.

His cast boasts seven terrifically talented actors who fully understand their craft. Lovely Sunnie Eraso (BAKED, Theo Ubique; A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Drury Lane) is captivating as Min. She radiates innocence and a profound curiosity that brings to mind a gob-smacked Asian-American Alice. Min journeys throughout a landscape of farms and underground mines that time has forgotten, populated with unique and unusual characters. Some of them are magical, some are living and some are deceased. Ms. Eraso interacts with each person she meets with a maturity that shows constant growth and understanding. Reilly Oh, who plays Pong/the White Rooster, is making his Lookingglass debut. But the multitalented actor has been seen in BAKED, at Theo Ubique, as well as TREVOR! THE MUSICAL, at Writers Theatre and MACBETH at Chicago Shakespeare. He brings youth and a fresh energy to this haunting production as the mystical titular character.

The always wonderful and dynamic Karen Aldridge (known for creating the role of Mrs. Phelps on Broadway in MATILDA THE MUSICAL) is an absolute powerhouse as Maria. The production sizzles whenever Ms. Aldridge takes the stage. This versatile actress has been enjoyed at most every major Chicago theater, but this production marks her exciting debut with Lookingglass. The marvelous, often quirky, Elliot Esquivel also marks his first appearance at Lookingglass in the roles of Fang and Wu. The talented actor was recently seen at Writers Theatre in their musical version of AS YOU LIKE IT; and he won the Jeff Award for Best Actor for his mesmerizing performance in Shattered Globe’s LOBBY HERO. He’s simply sensational as both characters, but will be leaving the production after April 5, when Nik Kmiecik will step into the dual roles. And Noelle Oh (INFINITY BURNS, at A Red Orchid) is mysterious and sultry as the ghostly June. Completing the cast, Louise Lamson (PLANTATION, at Lookingglass) portrays Judy, Mark L. Montgomery (BROOKLYN LAUNDRY, at Northlight) takes on the role of John and Daniel Lee Smith (LUCY & CHARLIE’S HONEYMOON, at Lookingglass) portrays both Hao and Ba.

WHITE ROOSTER also dazzles with the combined artistry of a team of gifted tech theater geniuses. Natsu Onoda Power has designed a rustic and detailed, multilevel stage setting; atmospheric lighting was devised by Hannah Wien; and Justin Cavazos has created the sound and co-composed the musical score with Mr. Yee, all of which envelopes this ghost story. As always, the consistently creative Mara Blumenfeld has designed costumes for characters that range from poor dirt farmers and miners to a giant, human-sized rooster. And Caitlin McLeod, whose fine work has been seen all over Chicagoland, has designed all the production’s puppets.

This Spring, Lookingglass Theatre offers another World Premiere production. Sometimes a bit confusing, and always challenging, Matthew Yee’s unique and strangely dark comic ghost story blends equal elements from Chinese mythology, gothic folk-rock and western Americana. It’s a story populated with unusual and intriguing characters, both living and dead, who are searching the land for what they need to satisfy an insatiable hunger. As relationships intertwine and the need to satisfy curiosity is quenched, theatergoers will discover how the often strange things we inherit often continue to inform our lives.

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented March 5-April 26 by Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 312-337-0665 or by going to www.lookingglasstheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.