“It Came From Outer Space”

[rating=3]In the 1950’s ( I think 1953), Universal Pictures released a 3D movie called “It Came From Outer Space”. 3D was an amazing bit of technology allowing items to come off the screen at the audience. We wore special glasses made of cardboard with lenses which made the items appear to come off the screen. Today’s 3D is far superior to what was then, but at the time, it was amazing!

The story revolves around an amateur astronomer, John Putnam ( Christopher Kale Jones) who encounters a space ship. Of course, the townspeople are ready to laugh him out of town. After all, there are no such thing as extraterrestrials, so he must have been drunk or seeing things.

With a book ( and music) by Joe Kinosian and book ( and lyrics) by Kellen Blair ,the duo that brought us “Murder For Two”, one knows that there will be some clever songs and parodies of the original film which has risen to status of a “cult classic”. The 90 plus minute musical examines the way that people view the unknown. Most are afraid, and even if they were to meet the aliens and feel comfort with being around them, in the back of their minds, fear would win.

Yes, although we all want to know if there is indeed life on other planets, would we be able to co-exist with them?

This production is a parody of the film and with a cast of six dynamic performers pulls it off. Putnam’s “girlfriend” is Ellen Fields ( played to perfection by Jaye Ladymore). The other four actors who play a multitude of roles are: Alex Goodrich ( one of my favorite character actors who plays the Sherriff, George and an alien)., Jonathan Butler-Duplessis ( another Chicago favorite who in this play, is the deputy and three others including a female role in which he is hysterical), Ann Delaney ( as Mazie and one of the aliens) and last, but certainly not least Sharriese Y. Hamilton (Heckie and an alien). They are all terrific and have great energy.

The songs are fun ( if not memorable). The one that might stand out is “We Are Out There” which is the first and the last songs we hear.

If you are familiar with the movie, you will get a lot more of the story. If not, just sit back and relax. I am sure over your years you have seen a science fiction film that you can relate this to. Directed by Laura Braza on a set designed by Scott Davis, this is a fun 90 plus minutes of entertainment and for those of you who have missed laughter ( the pandemic) you will find that those muscles are still working. You will laugh! The projections (Rasean Davonte Johnson and Michael Salvatore Commendatore) are well executed, the costumes ( Meiks Van Der Ploeg) adorable and both the lighting ( Heather Sparling) and sound (Nicholas Pope) were right on!

The orchestra led by Kevin Reeks is small, but mighty.  Only Reeks and four musicians with some great electronic music designed by Ethan Deppe.

The space where the play is performed is Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare ( the 6th floor) and the seating is comfy and the sight lines delightful

“It Came From Outer Space” will continue thru July 24th at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre at Navy Pier. Performances are as follows:

To order tickets  visit www.chicagoshakes.com/outerspace or call 312-595-5600

Garage parking on the Pier can be validated at the theater. Make sure you bring your ticket to the theater to do so.

FYI- The box office is where the main stage is on the 2nd floor. You grab the elevator there to get to the Upstairs Venue.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “It Came From Outer Space”