“Trip the Light Fantastic: The Making of Superstrip” review by Carol Moore

[rating=4]Although normally review theater, not dance, when I had the opportunity to attend the premiere performance of “Trip the Light Fantastic: The Making of SuperStrip”, I snapped it up.  I’m always thrilled to see a unique dance performance – and this truly was unique.  My friend Crista and I were in awe!  I give it 4 BIG Spotlights.

“SuperStrip” had its premiere in the Harris Theatre, which is huge.  It was difficult to hear all the dialogue, maybe because of the large, echo-y space.  If “SuperStrip” was performed in a more intimate space, I think every word would have been clear.  I’m assured “SuperStrip” will be back, so watch for it!

“SuperStrip” is more than just dance.  Using original music by Michael Caskey, the company has blended theater, video and comic book graphics with dance.  The end result was a rather brilliant composite of every non-profit retreat I’ve ever attended, with all the pretentious brain-storming, self-aggrandizing consciousness-raising, protective circles that goes on and on and on.

“SuperStrip” is about seven washed-up superheroes – who are still awesome dancers!  They don’t have powers any more but they still want to contribute.  They’re want to form a Think Tank  for Do-Gooders.  They’ve made some progress but they still need a mission statement, a brand, a website, and maybe a jingle. 

They’ve hired a marketing consultant/video technician, Rijeku Lily Swanson (Sojourner Zenobia), to help pull their ideas together.   Sparky Lightstep (Meghann Wildinson), who has organized these meetings, is nominally in charge.  As the meeting went on, as each superhero felt the urge, he/she would introduce him/herself, and talk about his/her powers or lack thereof.  The newly named superheroes and their new names are: Professor Lexray Visioné (Elizabeth Luse), Rapid Glitch (Daniel Gibson), Springster (Michel Rodriguez Cintra), The Big Liberjinski (Benjamin Holliday Wardell), Shadow (Marc Macaranas) and MMM (Melinda Jean Myers).  MMM, who recently had a baby was rather annoyingly (to the other heroes) obsessed with breast milk.

In the end, the superheroes did figure out a mission.  Sojourner gave them their mission, their video, their website and their brand as she left the stage.  Their name – Think-Tank In Service of Do-Gooding (TTISOD).  Their website, www.TTISOD.cm is actually active today.