Review: Fugitive Kind Theater Soars with its World Premiere Fantasy SHINE DARKLY, ILLYRIA

Using Shakespeare's Twelfth Night as a jumping-off point, SHINE DARKLY, ILLYRIA by Ovation Award winning writer Meghan Brown, the resident playwright of Fugitive Kind Theater, is more of a continuation than a sequel. And don't worry if the classic play is unknown to you because Ovation Award winning director Amanda McRaven makes sure the audience is filled in about Will's original tale by having the Illyrians act out the story for us, showing us how twins Viola and Sebastian washed up on the island of Illyria, how Viola dressed as Sebastian believing he was dead and was sent to pursue Olivia for Orsino, only to fall for the woman herself. But of course Sebastian shows up, woos and marries Olivia while Viola reveals her femininity and is immediately wed to Orsino. But in the years that follow, all is not well in the increasingly dark Illyria, ruled over by the vindictive Moon.

Fugitive Kind Theater is the presenting company, which for eleven years has engaged in creating boundary-breaking shows. This production takes the group to new heights, setting the story in what appears to be a fantasy circus world on the island of Illyria where anything goes and people are allowed to be whoever and whatever they want to be. It's a small society, but one most of us could certainly enjoy living in given the lack of stress and having any real work to do. But of course, such an idyllic world cannot last, and it is the dark side of Illyria we visit in SHINE DARKLY, ILLYRIA.

The talented ensemble cast includes (in alphabetical order) Julia Aks, Robyn Buck, Jennice Butler, Alana Marie Cheuvront, Jessica DiBattista, Emily L. Gibson, Sage Howard Simpson, Mercedes Manning, Jeff Marras, Tyler Menjivar, Jim Senti, Jason Vande Brake and Benny Wills, and I commend each of them for working so brilliantly together to transport us to the other-worldly Illyria, ruled over by The Moon.

Through incredibly skillful and physical story-enhancing ensemble choreography by Jessica DiBattista, evocative lighting by Karyn Lawrence and Ray Salas' wondrous sound design, Illyria is depicted as an island paradise where inhabitants do reverence to the Moon and revel at nightly Moon parties. Love, sex and dancing abound, but no children are ever conceived. Gender boundaries in sex can be rather fluid, just as some of Shakespeare's original characters engaged in cross-dressing.

Viola (gender-bending Sage Howard Simpson) and her husband, the bombastic Orsino (Jason Vande Brake) just wants to parties to continue, and the two do not share a great love between them since Viola feels more herself when passing as a man. Graphic midnight phone sex calls on tin cans between Viola and Olivia reveal their deep attraction for each other, and you will root for them to succeed since they truly appear to make each other happy. When their husbands finally learn the truth, the outcome will definitely surprise you!

The Moon, portrayed by sprite pole-dancer Alana Marie Cheuvront, has a favorite in the Countess Olivia (Mercedes Manning, who literally spews venom when her needs are not met), a devotion maintained by Olivia's addictive consumption of the euphoria-inducing moon dust provided by the Moon for her through her ever-suffering hand-maiden Mariah (Robyn Buck). With her partner Sir Tobey Belch (Benny Wills), Mariah proceeds to plot against Olivia after the two lovers engage in the sexiest duet I have seen in a long time, all the while complaining about how gross being a human being is. Get ready to hear several words not usually uttered onstage, which I guarantee will make you laugh!

And what of the dark side of the tale? Severe storms are being created by The Moon in an attempt to warn Olivia of an upcoming ecological disaster brought on by humanity's environmental neglect which may cause the island to disappear. But of course, Olivia does not listen as she only has her need for moon dust on her mind, a situation that leads to machinations by the angry Moon. And when Sir Tobey goes on the attack, it causes lovers to be in conflict, broken hearts for many, and the absolute destruction of their island paradise. The tale unravels to reveal whether the Illyrians can evolve with love and magic on their side, or will they wait too long to react to their dire situation and die as the ocean rises?

Adding to the circus atmosphere is Feste (Jeff Marras, who channels the much-loved Frankfurter from Rocky Horror at times), the cross-dressing party host who talks to the Moon over a tin can on rope phone. His exuberance in the role if a joy to behold. In fact, all the actors in the entire ensemble work at a fever pitch, flitting around the stage and creating he most amazing dances, especially when they mimic the building eaves striking Illyria. The wonders never seem to end, especially when work together to construct their getaway vehicle. You will be swept away in the fantasy and never want it to end.

SHINE DARKLY, ILLYRIA continues through May 29 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 7:00 pm. Pay-what you-can after-the-show matinees take place on Saturdays at 4:00 pm. Performances take place at the McCadden Place Theatre, 1157 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood, CA 90038. There are parking restrictions in the area, so arrive early or by Uber. Tickets are $25 (except Saturdays at 4:00pm.) Reservations by calling (702) 204-6179 or online at Https://www.artful.ly/fugitive-kind.

Thanks to an enthusiastic embrace by audiences, Shine Darkly, Illyria is adding two Sunday matinees, on May 22 and 29 with Pay What You Can admission.

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