“The Steadfast Tin Soldier”

Highly Recommended ***** November is here! For theaters, it is a time of “holiday plays”! The usual fare will appear all over town and in many ways. “A Christmas Carol”, “White Christmas”, “It’s A Wonderful Life ( Radio Show style) and of course, many versions of “The Nutcracker”- dance and play versions. Some of these productions have become mainstays for theaters for decades. Last year, Lookingglass Theare Company unveiled a new “holiday traditional” piece, “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” written and directed by the incredible Mary Zimmerman. I watched it last year in amazement as I saw the Hans Christian Anderson story about a little tin soldier, broken, never giving up.

This is a one hour, no intermission piece that is artistic and cleverly done with a cast of five hard -working, high energy performers, who in reality grace the stage for more than the hour, as they begin to do special things as the audience members are taking their seats. They are Joe Dempsey, Kasey Foster, John Gregorio, Anthony Irons and  Alex Stein as the Tin Soldier. With the exception of Stein, each of the other performers is involved in the puppetry and laying of many characters. There is no dialogue in this play, only acting in pantomime and wonderful music composed by Andre Pluess and Amanda Dehnert ( with  a finale number they wrote with words by Ms Zimmerman, :Be Steadfast:. Mr. Pluess along with Christopher M. LaPorte also designed the sound and the lighting was designed by  T.J. Gerkens.

The amazing costumes were designed by Ana Kuzmanic. They are designed for the quickest costume changes I have ever seen. These actors go off as one characters and are back on as another within minutes. This is amazing to witness. There is circus choreography ( after all, this is Lookingglass, isn’t it?)w ith work by Sylvia Hernandez-DiStassi and the dance choreography is done by Tracy Walsh. Amanda Hermann, who serves as the stage manager also assembled the myriad of great props and the musicians, who are all “on-stage” for lack of a better word for the entire show, playing during almost every minute, are powerful. They are led by Leandro Lopez Varady on the piano, Greg Hirte ( Chicago’s favorite “fiddler”), Juan Horne on cello and flutes by either Emma Hospelhorn or Constance Volk).

The design of the set (Todd Rosenthal) allows us to feel that we are in the places where we are supposed to be. From the home where the baby gets the set of tin soldiers and destroys one ( who after being thrown out the window keeps coming back for more). By the way, the puppet design by Chicago Puppet Studio is truly joyful. Watching both adults and children in the full house this evening, I could see the excitement they brought to them. Although the Tin Soldier only has one leg, he attempts to be whole as can be. He is inspired by seeing a ballerina in stance in a doll house. He sees her as only using one leg, therefore it can be done!

The idea of using no words is one that makes sense on Michigan Avenue, a place filled with visitors from the entire world, who speak many languages. This show allows each and every one of them, no matter their ethnicity, the opportunity to get into the story and fall in love with the characters that have been created, first by the great Hans Christian Andersen and then reborn under the clever eye of Ms Zimmerman. There are also no age barriers to viewing this show. Children will love the brightness and the puppetry and cleverness of the movement. Older people will find their “inner child” coming out and revisiting their childhood days of yore. The suggestion is five years of age and up. You know your kids and grandkids. Make sure they are not bored easily as there are a few slower times, but for te most part the action is non-stop and the actors are all worthy of praise. They are terrific in bringing this story from the page to the stage.

“The Steadfast Tin Soldier” will continue at Lookingglass Theatre located in the old Water Tower at 821 N. Michigan Avenue ( at Pearson) thru January 18th with performances as follows:

Tuesdays  7:30 p.m. except 1/12, January 7th and 14th and at 2 p.m. on 12/24 and 12/31 ONLY

Wednesdays  2 p.m. on 11/27 and 7:30 except Christmas and New Years Days

Thursdays  2 p.m. except 11/28 and 1/16 and &:30 p.m. except 11/28

Fridays  2 p.m. on November 29th AND 7:30 P.M.

Saturdays 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. except 11/23 and 12/7

Sundays  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

On 11/21 there will be a TOUCH TOUR/Audio Described performance tour at 6 p.m. performance at 7:30 p.m

There are many special events connected to this special production. Find them at www.lookingglasstheatre.org, where you can also purchase tickets (from $45-$85 with student rates on day of show at $20 with valid ID)

Call the box office at 312-337-0665 or stop by the Water Tower Water Works at 821 N. Michigan Avenue or the special doors on Pearson. There is discounted parking at The Olympia Centre Garage on Chicago Avenue or  875 N. Michigan ( Hancock Center for many and  Water Tower Place. Bring ticket with for validation.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” , start a new family tradition! I know I have!