'Search For Signs of Intelligent Life' at Balagan Theatre

Balagan Theatre opens it's new 10 show season with Jane Wagner's brilliant one woman show, "The Search For Signs of Intelligent Life In The Universe".  In the hands of a lesser actress, the production could be simply an imitation of the superb performance of the original star Lily Tomlin, who won a Tony award in 1986 for the show.  But Balagan's Terri Weagant shows she is more than up to the task. 

The show follows Trudy, a bag lady with a keen insight on ... well ... everything, as she waits for her "space chums" to show up for a visit.  As we wait, Trudy explains how she is so in tune with the Universe that she constantly slips in and out of the lives of others such as Agnus, a 17 year old runaway punk performance artist, Lyn, an overly sensitive Mother, Edie, a militant lesbian with a child prodigy son, and even an actress putting on a show at Balagan Theater in Seattle (yes, she channels herself at one point).  And as we wander in and out of the lives of these people we discover the secrets of life.  What makes a child a genius?  How do you communicate with an angst ridden teenager?  And what is the difference between soup and art?  Well, whatever the answers to these questions are, I can say that this play is definitely not soup, but art! 

 And, as I said before, Seattle favorite Terri Weagant handles this piece of art with the respect and commitment it deserves.  When people think of this play they associate it with the amazing Lily Tomlin and so the thought of someone else tackling it may sound absurd.  But Weagant is able to weave in and out of these complex characters with seeming ease.  She manages to give homage to Tomlin in her performance while still putting her own stamp on the characters.  And with so many difficult characters flying about the stage you can run the risk of them all blending together.  But Weagant has such a clear vision of each one that you always know which one is speaking at any given point.  In fact there were several times I forgot there was only one person on the stage.

Now, I have seen the show performed by Tomlin in a large auditorium and performed in a small independent space such as Balagan's and with a show like this I think it works better on the small scale.    Of course nothing against Tomlin's performance (as she is a master of comedy and an outstanding actress), but as this show is really just a conversation, the intimate setting of the smaller space lends itself well to drawing the audience in and getting them invested in the piece.  And in the able hands of Weagant and director Lisa Confehr, you are sure to have a wonderful time at the show and even walk away (gasp!) thinking.  And isn't that the true definition of "art"?  Or is it soup?

"The Search For Signs Of Intelligent Life In The Universe" plays at Balagan Theater in Seattle through August 29^th.  For more information or tickets call 1-800-838-3006 or visit them online at www.balagantheatre.org.

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