Review of 'Symphonie Fantastique'

As a new way to appreciate—or for children, an introduction to—classical music, okay. As a demonstration of puppetry's potential, okay. As an aquatic rendering of a painting by Kandinsky (whom director Basil Twist credits as inspiration), okay. As a scuba dive for someone afraid of sharks or an acid trip for someone afraid of drugs, okay. But as a work of theater worth a $66, or $46, ticket price...I don't think so. Symphonie Fantastique, which has returned to New York after touring internationally, is different, it's interesting, it's creative.

Still, I don't understand all the fuss—an Obie, a Drama Desk nomination and an 18-month run for its fabulously received original production downtown—over this show. It is, after all, one hour of fabric, tubes and feathers twirling through water. Created by puppeteer Twist and set to Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique, the show is like a supersize version of those desktop dancing-water panels sold in the "executive gifts" department. It's been expanded since its 1998-2000 run in Soho and now features fiber optics, an additional puppeteer and a 1,000-gallon aquarium (twice as big as the original), though the audience sees only the 5-by-10-foot front of the tank.

The show, like Berlioz's symphony, is divided into five movements, and there isn't a huge variety in what's done in each part; sheets moving pollywog-like and boas unfurling are among the repeated formations. This isn't meant to belittle Twist and his puppeteers: Five of them, performing in wetsuits, manipulate close to 200 objects, and their precision is crucial. Judging from their smiles during the curtain call, and their eagerness to answer audience questions during the postshow walk-through backstage, they're obviously enthused about their work. Which is different, interesting and creative: Puppeteers hang over the side of the tank, sometimes swing above it in harnesses, continually get splashed, all the while grabbing and moving puppets nonstop.

But you miss all that from the regular seats, and even if you're willing to splurge $101 on a backstage seat, you then don't see the actual show in full. Producer Barbara Busackino has described Symphonie Fantastique as "unadulterated artfulness: art for art's sake." From the front, there's not much more to it.

At Dodger Stages, 340 W. 50th Street; 212-239-6200, www.dodgerstages.com for tickets & information.

Photo by Carol Rosegg

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