Review: BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO Opens at the Unicorn Theatre

Thought provoking, dramatic, depressing, with a dash of humor describes the current production of the Unicorn Theatre on their Levin Stage. Ian R. Crawford directs Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, written by Rajiv Joseph. The complex plot and vivid images are a co-production of the University of Missouri at Kansas City Theatre Department.

The play debuted in May of 2009 in Culver City, California running until June 7, 2009. The Broadway production was staged at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, running from March 21, 2011 for a limited engagement until July 3, 2011. The late Robin Williams starred with the Broadway cast as the tiger.

Set in 2003 the United States has invaded Iraqi and one of the unfortunate victims is the Baghdad Zoo. Many of the animals in captivity escape only to be shot to death by soldiers patrolling the war-torn city. Two soldiers guard the zoo and particularly a bengal tiger in a cage. When the tiger attacks one of the soldiers, who gets too close, the other soldier shots it to death with a golden gun taken from a Hussein palace.

The tiger returns to the stage in the form of a ghost, traveling through the shell of a city pondering on the meaning of life, religion, and puzzled by the carnages of war. The production becomes quite crowded with ghosts, conscience, and guilt. The tiger feels guilty for eating two children years earlier, Kev, the soldier that killed the tiger, is plagued with guilt for shooting the tiger. The only character not filled with guilt is Uday Hussein, played by Damron Russel Armstrong, who is proud of the atrocities he committed during his father's reign of terror.

Theodore Swetz is marvelous in the role of the Tiger. Whether breaking the tension on the stage with humorous remarks or screaming at God, his performance is dynamic and his characterization of the spirit of the lion is fascinating to watch. The tiger seems to be the only character that I could like at all and even that began to fade before the fall of the final curtain.

Other actors in the joint production give powerful performances with unlikeable characters. Matthew J. Lindbolm stars as Kev, the obnoxious foul-mouthed soldier who kills the tiger. Damron Russel Armstrong takes on the roles of Uday and an Iraqi Man, while Manon Halliburton plays a double role as an Iraqi Woman and a Leper.

Three students of UMKC complete the cast of Bengal Tiger in the Baghdad Zoo. Michael Thayer is Musa, an Iraqi translator filled with guilt for taking his sister to a garden owned by Uday Hussein. Danny Fleming appears as Tom, the soldier who loses his hand to the tiger and returns to Iraqi to retrieve the golden gun and gold toilet seat. Mariam S. Diaz rounds out the cast as an Iraqi Teenager and Hadia, Musa's sister.

The production contains strong language; gunshots, simulated sex acts, severed body parts, and is not for the faint of heart. Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo may have been better suited for a season not dedicated to joy and family. The holiday season is depressing enough to some people without this production.

Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo continues at the Unicorn Theatre through December 28 and parental discretion is advised. Purchase tickets by calling the box office at 816-531-7529 extension 10 or visit the Unicorn Theatre website. Photo by Cynthia Levin courtesy of Unicorn Theatre.

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