“Airness” reviewed by Edie Reese

[rating=4] “Airness,” Citadel Theatre’s not-quite-a-musical explores the quirky world of air guitar competition. (Yes, air guitar competition is a real thing, and the International Finals will be held this summer in Finland.) This comedy, authored by Chelsea Marcantel, explains the artform while following five veteran competitors plus a newcomer as they try to qualify for the National Competition and achieve “Airness,” that special quality of transcendence of imitation of playing and fancy moves to reaching your inner joy and turning iir guitar into a true art form.

The set (except for the black-lighted finale of the U.S. National Championships) consists of a semi-seedy looking bar designed by scenic designer Eric Luchen. Crammed with beer signs, hard rock posters, and other bar bric-a-brac, the bar décor (complete with working mini-fridge) is the perfect setting for the play. Mr. Luchen even has an easter egg tribute to a local Highwood brewery/pub placed among the beer signs. The five veteran performers are Cannibal Queen—who is a classically trained guitartist (Sierra White), Shreddy Eddy—who has serious issues about adulting, even though he is almost forty (Evan Cullinan), D. Vicious—the reigning champion and resting heavily on his laurels (Will Leonard), Golden Thunder—spreading his message of peace, love and harmony through air guitar (Dustin Lorde Teamer) and Facebender—who wears braided pigtails but speaks as if he were lost in King Arthur’s Court (Neil Stratman) They are joined by newcomer “real” rock guitarist Nina (Julia Rowley) who thinks that it will be easy to win an air guitar competition. Of course, she gets flustered and falls on her face during her first competition.(We also discover Nina’s “ real” ulterior motive for joining the competition.) An air guitar competition wouldn’t be anything without an Announcer to introduce the acts and rile up the audience. Katherine Abel, dressed in either sparkly, mis-matched patterns or dead black, fits the bill nicely.

Cindy Moon’s costume designs are phenomenal, enhancing the persona of each character. From Cannibal Queen’s head-to-toe black leather to D. Vicious’ torn mesh and chains, these costumes project the aura of each character. The make-up for Viscious. Cannibal Queen and Golden Thunder are particularly spectacular.

Joe Lehman’s direction, Jake Ganzer’s choreography and Air Guitar Consultant’s (yes, that is a real thing) Gina “Rocky Rhodes” Czarkowski instruction came together to teach these actors, none of whom had even done air guitar before, to not only do air guitar moves, but to do them believably as separate characters. One of the funniest moments in the show is when Shreddy Eddy coaches Nina on her moves and plays back what to do (and what not to do) on his cell phone. The other actors get up behind him to “show” these actions, sometimes in slow motion, and sometimes in repeat mode. Lighting Designer Joe Klamerus does some cool stuff with black light midway through the show, as well as the awesome finale lighting. Sound Designer Jonesy Jones makes sure that everything is loud enough (but not too loud), and the Stage Manager Jessica Greenhoe assisted by Scenic Change Artist Anna Petersen and Run Crew Alex Trinh make sure that everything runs smoothly. Rounding out the technical side of the house are Properties Designer Isabella Noe and Master Carpenter Jason Clark. Production Managers are Citadel Artistic Director and Managing Director Scott and Ellen Phelps.

The show plays now through May 21 at Citadel Theatre, 300 South Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, . Ticket prices for Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are $40, Ticket prices for Saturdays and Sundays are $45. Tickets may be purchased online at www.citadeltheatre.org or by calling the box office at 847-735-8554 ext. 1. Discounts are available for groups, seniors and students by calling the box office.

Performance times are as follows: