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Sita Ram
Lookingglass Theatre Company continues to bring its audiences works unique in form and style with it's latest effort "Sita Ram" (which by the way is sold out), a sort of Rock Opera based on the Hindu epic "Ramayana." This version combines the tradition and beauty of Natya Dance Theatre, music by Jai Uttal, the wonderful voices of Chicago's Children's Choir and, of course, Lookingglass Theatre's storytelling with wonderful direction by David Kersnar who also wrote the book.
Based on 2400 verses of poetry, this piece is the love story of Rama and Sita which also deals with wars fought over religion and cultural differences. At the same time, it explores spirituality and suggests that one should look deeper inside. According to legend, the poet Valmiki was originally a thief. One day he attempted to rob a sadhu (a holy man) who, of course, owned nothing. The sadhu gave him the mantra "Mara" ("evil"); Valmiki liked it and kept repeating it and as time went on, he became a better person. He realized that when he was saying "Mara Mara Mara" he was also saying "Rama Rama Rama." Rama is the 7th incarnation of the Hindu God Vishnu and a symbol of heroism and goodness. Valmiki wrote Ramayana in honor of the God who had changed his life.
A tip of the hat to all those who participated in putting this production in place—Isaiah Robinson ( Hanuman), Avilla Martin ( Rama), Pranidhi Varshney ( Sita), Sharon Muthu ( Surpanaka), Anish Jethmalani ( Ravana) and Mariana Oharenko (Little Monkey—all were wonderful in their roles, both in spirit and in song. To bring such a deep and culturally rich story to a general audience is difficult, but Lookingglass and its collaborators have done the job exceedingly well.
While this is a sold-out production, I would hope that they will bring it back at a later date so that a larger audience has the opportunity to learn what this story teaches and to enjoy the wonderful story and music.
Sita Ram
Through April 2nd
Lookingglass Theatre
Water Tower Works
Tickets: 312-337-0665 (stand-by) or check out www.lookingglasstheatre.org . br>
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Lease on Love
Diamante Productions is the newest of Chicago theater groups with a mission to showcase the new works of emerging playwrights. Their first production, Lease on Love is written by Diamante founder Tony Fiorentino. Fiorentino also plays Tom, the main character, a "dumped" bachelor who in looking for a new roommate, and finds instead, due to his friend's error, not a male roommate, but a beautiful young woman (Jeanne Giannone) who has also just gone through a terrible break-up. Tom agrees to let her stay on a "trial basis" and as the play progresses and after a period of adjustment, love looms for this couple—but their ex-lovers enter the picture and complications arise for both. There is also a sub-plot dealing with Tom's ex-roomie Barry (Andrew Pond) and his live-in April (Jessica Granger). These two characters make the story come alive, thanks to some perfect timing.
While Lease on Love has some very funny moments and Mr. Fiorentino and Ms. Giannone have some chemistry, the play is a bit long and perhaps a little too much Seinfeld and Friends mixed with a little Three's Company (mentioned in the script). The show's message is that "Love is not a noun," but an emotion that is felt and that we cannot control the direction it takes.
I was impressed with the play's potential and the talent of the cast emerging under the capable direction of Chris Arnold; I am looking forward to their next production Cold Cold Feet in July.
Lease on Love
Through April 9th
The Theatre Building Chicago
1225 W. Belmont
Tickets: $25
Reservations: 773-327-5252 or at all Ticketmaster outlets
Alan Bresloff critiques theater in the Chicago area .
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