BWW Reviews: THE CLOCKWORK PROFESSOR at TOJ Offers Fun Steampunk Melodrama

When melodrama is done right, it can be a ton of fun. Maniacal cackling villains, stalwart heroes, and everyone gets what they deserve. And while the current steampunk production from Pork Filled Productions, "The Clockwork Professor", playing at Theatre Off Jackson has much of that melodramatic style going for it, they could use a bit more of a focused over the top tone to make it sing. But what they do have going for them is an original story by Maggie Lee that is at the same time funny and fascinating.

In this world of New Providence, the Royal Lady Sophia (Ana Maria Campoy) rules over her subjects from high above the city in her airship. But not everyone likes being under her rule as the rebellious Squeaky Wheels plot to overthrow the monarchy. Some in town, such as Professor Seamus Pemberton (Brad Walker), just try to keep their heads down and follow the status quo. But when the Professor's less than innocent past comes back to haunt him, he and his loyal assistant Matilda (Narea Kang) and his scheming best friend Lawrence (Randall Brammer) must set out to set things right and stop the evil Dr. Balthazar Higgins (Phillip Keiman) before it's too late.

As I said, the story is a winner. Lots of intrigue and twists and even a few red herrings to keep you guessing. I do wonder why Lee and director Amy Poisson chose to include a couple of F-bombs and some brief nudity in the show. Not that I'm adverse to things like that but it didn't really lend much to the story and without them I could easily see this becoming a fun show for both kids and adults. But I digress. Ably directed by Poisson the show never bogs itself down or becomes stayed. I would have liked a bit more in the over the top melodrama aspect as well as a division between the two worlds inhabiting the play but it's a minor point in a very fun show.

Walker plays the scattered and determined Professor with a kind of tortured sweetness making him a perfect hero for the piece and a joy to watch. And he and Kang have an under the surface kind of chemistry together making their romance work well for the tone. Brammer lends a devilish twinkle and roguish quality to his character so you never fully trust him but you still want to follow. Moses Yim and Campoy have the unenviable task of being kind of the straight men in the piece playing opposite these otherworldly characters and they make them engaging and likable. Melissa Slaughter adds a lovely outsider element to the show as the radio announcer making any exposition of the piece flow well into the story. Keiman has one of the most focused characters in the piece as his despicable, agenda laden Dr. Higgins slithers through his scenes and even lets out the occasional maniacal laugh. And I absolutely loved the robotic portrayals of the henchmen Mr. Jervis and Mr. Sullivan from Karissa Samples and Sascha Streckel. They completely nailed the over the top comedy of the piece with their hyper-stylized movements and staging.

With some outstanding costumes and props from Samantha Armitage and Robin Macartney, the show creates a fascinating new world. And while it may stumble in a few places, it amounts to a wonderful new piece and an enjoyable evening.

"The Clockwork Professor" from Pork Filled Productions performs at Theatre Off Jackson through August 3rd. For tickets or information visit Brown Paper Tickets online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/343229.

Photo Credit: Pork Filled Productions (Roger Tang)

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