Review: KING OF PANGEA: Performers Shine Amid Rocky Plot at Aurora Theatre

In a theatrical world filled with musicals based on books and movies (and musicals based on movies based on books too), it's a rare treat to get a truly original piece. In fact, it's something audiences and reviewers alike have been clamoring for, if any theater-based message board or social media page is to be believed. For Lawrenceville-based Aurora Theatre goers, the cry has been answered in the form of Martin Storrow's semi-autobiographical fantasy piece, King of Pangea, performed in collaboration with the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. The music is lovely, the acting well-done, but the story…it needs more tweaking, even after its second production here in Georgia.

Viewer beware - the subject is a tough one. Christopher Crow, played at two ages by Logan Corley and the young Riley McCool, both narrates and journeys through his mother Celia's battle with (and ultimate demise from) cancer. While young Christopher finds solace in daydreaming about his fictional fantastical kingdom of Pangea, older Christopher struggles to deal with his problems and those of his family (Wendy Melkonian and Matthew Alvin Brown) and girlfriend (Isa Martinez). A chance meeting with an eccentric prophet (Barry Stoltz) gives Christopher the chance to go on an extraordinary journey to face his tamped-down grief and come to terms with his mother's death.

Each actor is stellar, in emotion and musicality (some occasionally play instruments both with the orchestra and separately as their character). McCool, having played Young Christopher in both Oklahoma and Atlanta, begins the show with a pure and plaintive voice, and the scenes between him and his mother are tender and heartfelt. Said mother Melkonian weaves beautifully through scenes, sometimes seen and sometimes not but always showing such emotion as to draw the audience to tears. Brown is also a powerhouse, going between characters with ease, able to play the heartbroken father as well as the comedic captain without breaking a sweat, and his comedy is only outstepped by Stoltz, who provides much needed levity in such a heavy show, and then in turn shines with emotion towards the end.  Martinez, an Atlanta-based actor, is at ease fitting into the cast, especially with her talent for both voice and guitar, and she gives a beautiful mid-show monologue about the chaos of life and death.  The guiding light among the cast (and audience as well) is Corley, and given that he has played the role in both American productions, it makes sense how connected he is to the character and the story that has him at the center.  Having seen his own mother Sara go through a victorious battle with cancer, he is well-equipped to handle such a weighty tale, both as a storyteller and a musical performer.

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