Fanciful Adventures in Space, Friendship, and the Most Unlikely of True Loves

moonwatchers

Taking the tradition of tall tales into science fiction, moonwatchers is a light-hearted romp about opposites in friendship and star-crossed soulmates. The whimsical story written by Nigel Berkely and Corey Farrell, as Directed by Nealie Tinlin, and presented by Lazy Susan Theatre Co. is a high-energy evening of escapism that will lift your spirits. And how better to celebrate the historic Artemis II mission to the far side of the moon than taking in this far out adventure.

Full of colorful costumes and puppetry, and spectacularly unlikely interactions, moonwatchers is a wondrous feat of imagination calling to mind the film The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. Throughout these fanciful adventures sci-fi fans will recognize quips and nods to every notable science fiction world, from Star Trek’s Final Frontier to 2001: A Space Odyssey, to bits in the parody style of Futurama.

Here our two heroes, Allen and Rocko, start off as the typical odd couple coworkers, struggling through the frictions of close-quarters and fundamentally conflicting approaches. When the moon turns up missing Rocko rises to the challenge, and takes to the space frontier to find and return the moon to its rightful place. During his planet-hopping quest, the intrepid Rocko meets a wacky cast of characters. A Gorton’s Fisherman lookalike imparts the secrets of comet-riding and gifts Rocko his first kazoo. Caught in his lair with the stolen moon, the dastardly space criminal Johnny Rumble faces off with Rocko in a hilariously epic showdown for the fate of our beloved satellite. Along the way we meet the demure Bessie, the exquisitely feminine cow who jumps over the moon.

With this script Director Nealie Tinlin has found a delightful vehicle to celebrate her love of the moon and all things joyful in life. Tinlin is the Lazy Susan Theatre Co.’s Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director, and a Chicago-based actor, writer, and director. This two-man show of several larger-than-life characters depends on the high-energy talents of Elijah J. Jones (Allen, and others) and Renzo Vicente (Rocko and others). Together they commit one hundred percent to the bits, whether they are playing with puppets, singing and dancing, or squirming around as Saturnalians.

Sound Design by Lazy Susan Theatre Co. Executive Director Marthew Masino is masterful, bringing a richness to the scenes, adding music that is the perfect complement to each moment the entire production to another level. Together with the fairytale Lighting Design by Emma Berry the ambiance in the little theater is transformed. Costumes by Ephraim Page and the many props by Designer Pierce Julian Howard and Assistant Designer Hannah Loesbert are delectably whimsical, heightening the cartoon aesthetic with color and caricature. Scenic Design by Jon Yawn is cleverly creative.

Escape the stressors of mundane life and join moonwatchers for a storybook escape into a fantastically silly adventure where friendship and love triumph over all.

moonwatchers presented by Lazy Susan Theatre Co. runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 PM with matinees Sundays at 2:30 PM through May 17. All shows are at the Greenhouse Theatre Center, 2257 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago

Tickets are $15 to $27 and may be purchased online at www.lazysusantheatreco.com or catch discounted tickets on HotTix.org

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