“The Steadfast Tin Soldier”

Highly Recommended ***** The holiday season is filled with wonderful stories. For eons, we have been viewing new interpretations of ” Christmas Carol”, “It’s A Wonderful Life” and of course, “The Nutcracker”. It is a part of the season. Each year I look forward to something new coming our way, and thanks to Lookingglass Theatre and Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman, this year we are treated to just that. “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” is based on a story by one of my favorites when it comes to fables, Hans Christian Andersen.

The unique part of this story is that it is one of Andersen’s best ,and one that is not based on anything else.  The production, now on stage at the amazing Lookingglass Theatre , in the old Water Tower pumping station, tells us a story about a tin soldier, one of three, that is broken, a leg gone, and is therefore tossed aside. It is possible that the story is a self -portrait of the author and that perhaps because he was “different”, he was tossed aside ( from society). The play has no written text and is done entirely in pantomime. The music that accompanies the story (written byAndre Pluess and Amana Dehnert is special, very melodic and allows the story to continue movement forward.

Those familiar with Lookingglass know that they are a very physical company, with circus-type performances featured in almost every show. This one will not let you down. The cast of players are powerful, energetic and convincing as they tell us the story to the broken soldier ( deftly handled by Alex Stein) and his true love, the ballerina ( the charming Kasey Foster, who handles some other roles as well). The soldier is on one leg and he sees the ballerina, also on one leg ( as she is doing a movement) and instantly falls in love. In fact, with the exception of Mr. Stein, everyone else in the cast changes characters and costumes throughout the 89 minutes that this production takes. No one speaks until the curtain call, when the cast will present a musical piece.

But while they do not speak, they tell a beautiful story through visual spectacle. How can this little tin soldier, broken and useless, fall in love and be loved by the ballerina. He is filled with love and bravery ( hard to be when you only have one leg) and as the story unfolds, he shows us that desire and love can conquer all. Zimmerman, who directed the production in addition to penning it ,has blended story-telling through image and movement instead of words.

When we enter the theater. we see a stage that has many doors on the back wall(representing the curtain) Todd Rosenthal has created a set that is both beautiful and functional, as it assists in the telling of this beautiful story. Actors come on stage, each opening a door on this wall, and between each, one of the musicians comes onstage, crosses and goes to their station in the “orchestra pit”. First the piano ( Leandro Lopez Varady, followed by Michael Palzewicz (cello) and then Chicago’s favorite violin/fiddle player, Greg Hirte and last, but not least, Constance Volk handling the woodwinds. These four musicians make these lilting melodies fill the theater with love and care!

The players, in addition to Mr. Stein and Ms Foster are Christopher Donahue ( who is outstanding in the role of the nursemaid), Anthony Irons as the Goblin/Jack-In-The-Box and John Gregorio as the Rat and many others. They handle the puppetry (puppets designed by Chicago Puppet Studio- Blair Thomas and Tom Lee), moving set pieces and props (Amanda Hermann) on and off and Mr. Donahue does a great job of sweeping the stage. The circus choreography , as usual is handled by Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi and the choreography by Tracy Walsh.

As usual, Lookingglass Theatre Company brings their own special brand of theater to the city. They are always seeking new opportunities to make our audiences feel the emotion of a story and at the same time watch the drama unfold as if each performance was the first. This show will stay as fresh as it was today, even after dozens of performances, because that is who Lookingglass is. Most of their work is new and original, and almost all very physical. This production is geared for family fun and enjoyment. The audience today was a mix of foreign visitors, here for the holiday, families who were in town celebrating Thanksgiving, Black Friday shoppers taking a slight break and theater-goers who thrive on the energy of a Lookingglass Theatre production. All ages, races and ethnicities, and all having a wonderful experience. Bravo!

“The Steadfast Tin Soldier” will continue at Lookingglass Theatre located at 821 N. Michigan Avenue (at the corner of Pearson-entrance is on Pearson) thru January 13th with performances as follows:

Tuesdays  7:30 p.m.  except 12/25 and 1/1  Happy Holidays

Wednesdays  2 p.m. (12/26 and 1/2  ) and 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays  2 p.m.  and 7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sundays  2 p.m.

Open caption   December 6th

Audio Described tour   December 13th (touch tour at 6 p.m.)

POST show discussions: visit www.lookingglasstheatre.org/reflect

Tickets range from $45-$85  with student tickets ( same day as show at $20  subject to availability).

To purchase your opportunity to catch this sterling new holiday ( soon to become a classic) call 312-337-0665 or visit www.lookingglasstheatre.org

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Steadfast Tin Soldier”