Review: A Triumphant Return to TRIASSIC PARQ

Welcome back to TRIASSIC PARQ!

Circle Theatre's remount of their hit 2015 production of TRIASSIC PARQ - THE MUSICAL, playing through Aug. 13 at the Heartland Studio (7016 N. Glenwood), is a triumph in every way. It's actually better than the original, high-recommended production. This is a must-see for fans of parody, camp and satire. Funny, heartfelt and occasionally moving, it's a great summer treat.

The struggle to find balance between male and female, science and faith and self and community are again on display in this smart and occasionally unapologetically bawdy 90 minute musical. The plot is loosely based on the novel and film "Jurassic Park," but told from the perspective of the dinosaurs. Caitlin Boho returns as narrator Morgan Freeman and peppers a few updated references into her monologue, before quickly reminding the audience of the overall plot: science has managed to clone dinosaurs from nine parts DNA and one part frog. All of the clones have been bred to be females. Of course, fans of the film will know that nature will eventually find a way to let the gals start to reproduce.

Jacob Richard Axelson returns as the Velociraptor of Faith. She leads her flock in worship of LAB (like God, the science lab is the giver of life and also keeps the creatures fed via the occasional lamb sacrifice). Axelson's performance is nuanced from the prior version. His velociraptor is still a religious zealot, but Axelson has honed in on the maternal aspects of his character, thus softening her up a bit.

Veronica Garza is new to the production and plays T-Rex 2, a nerdy T-Rex and BFF of temper-prone Tyrannosarus Rex Kaitlyn (a returning Erin Daly). Garza's take on the character is wholly original. Directors Tommy Bullington and Nicholas Reinhart have allowed her to put her own stamp on the role (as opposed to just recreating what was done by Neala Barton in the original production) and she's terrific as the initially neurotic and then sex-crazed dino.

The Velociraptor of Innocence (Parker Guidry) longs for the life beyond the electric fence and once Velociraptor of Faith banishes T-Rex 2 for the unthinkable crime of growing a penis, Velociraptor of Innocence begins to question her faith, eventually breaking out of the area and seeking out the previously-banished Velociraptor of Science (the returning Marissa Druzbanski as a tough raptor; Druzbanski again slays with a rap about scientific theory).

Patrick Stengle's "Mime-a-saurus" (yes, he's still in full mime makeup) also gives a hilarious, animated performance that mere words cannot do justice.

"Get Out,: Guidry's song of longing in which the Velociraptor of Innocence dreams of the world beyond the electrified fence, is still an emotional powerhouse of a tune. Garza and Daly's duet "Love Me as a Friend" hits a touching note that is likely to stay with you long after the show has ended. It reduced a few folks in the audience to tears (great stage craft by Garza and Daly here).

Kat Sass' costumes still evoke the Glam Rock of the '70s, but wigs have now been incorporated into most of the designs and the end result gives a distinct look and more personality to each of the characters.

The ensemble's vocal work still remains strong. The voices are exceptionally well-blended by director Aaron Benham. The three piece band led by "pianosaurus" Justin Harner produce a rich, full sound.

If you caught it in 2015, you need to make a return visit to the Parq. If you missed it then, you owe it to yourself to book a ticket to TRIASSIC PARQ.

Circle Theatre's production of TRIASSIC PARQ: THE MUSICAL runs through August 13 at the Heartland Studios, 7016 N. Glenwood. Tickets, $28. www.circlethatrechicago.org

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