“The Steadfast Tin Soldier” Covid-19 version

Below, you will find my review of Lookingglass Theatre Company’s holiday treat, “The Steadfast Tin Soldier”. I must tell you first that I adore this production written and directed by Mary Zimmerman. It is based on a story by Hans Christian Andersen, who I adored reading as a child, and learned a great deal about life from. I truly feel that this piece will become a standard holidat theater production like the Goodman’s “A Christmas Carol”, American Blues’ “It’s A Wonderful Life: Live from Chicago” and of course “The Nutcracker”.

The story is about a tin solider, broken, and yet, he never gives up.

The production has no voice ( until the curtain call” but for one hour will hold every family member captive. The cast, while small in numbers is huge in talent and  will have you mesmerized within minutes. The original music, composed by Andre Pluess and Amanda Dehenert is sheer perfection and works with the story from start to finish.

The cast of five is amazing and the four musicians, Leandro Lopez Varady (piano/musical director), Greg Hirte ( violin and well known to every Chicago theater company), Juan Horie ( cello) and Constance Volk ( flutes).

The show is filled with puppetry ( Chicago Puppet Design) and the props are amazing ( Amanda Herrmann(. By the way, this was filmed last year and I for one am thankful that it was, making it available for the 2020 Holiday Season. Some normalcy during this difficult year.

The actors are powerful and seeing them up close on my computer and i-phone allowed me a better look at some of the expressions, making some scenes even more effective. Watching Aex Stein ( the Steadfast Tin Soldier) and his Ballerina (Kasey Foster) was a delight. Joe Dempsey is a superb “nursemaid”, Anthony Irons is key in his many roles ( I love his Jack-In-The-box) and the comedy is even better close up from  John Gregorio.

Tonight was opening night with a pre-show and an after show, but the show itself is what you want to enjoy with your loved ones. You can do so for $25 livestream and demand. The beauty of the show is anyone can enjoy. There is n language involved, but a great deal of heart and soul. This is just what the world needs, so tell all your friends and family NOT TO MISS THIS! It will be available thru the 27th.

Tickets are available at www.lookingglasstheatre.org  

I wasn’t sure how this would transfer, but I am excited to tell you, it might even be better streamed! To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at ”

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 the 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 in your home thru the 27th of December  www.lookingglasstheatre.org