BWW Reviews: Stunning and Inventive JOURNEY TO THE WEST at Constellation Theatre Company

JOURNEY TO THE WEST is visually stunning and highly inventive production that features an expert ensemble of actors bringing both humor and humanity to an epic story.

Director Allison Arkell Stockman deftly brings to the stage Mary Zimmerman's adaptation of a grand and heroic quest. Though JOURNEY TO THE WEST is certainly a work of weight and substance, this production is memorable for wonderful quiet moments of humor, charm, and light to balance out its mythic, larger-than-life scale. Stockman skillfully interweaves gorgeous visuals, large ensemble moments and softer moments between just a few characters. With Tom Teasley's original music and Pauline Grossman's bold choreography added to the mix, senses are fully engaged.

JOURNEY TO THE WEST relates the thousand-year-old Chinese legend of Buddhist monk, Tripitaka, who travels from China to India in search of sacred scriptures. A rambunctious monkey, an insatiable pig and a fierce river monster join the steadfast monk along the way, while subtly aided by Guanyin, a wise bodhisattva who has delayed nirvana to help others like the monk attain their own enlightenment. But wait: there's also a wacky slow-mo cocktail party scene and a guy in a piggy snout and big pillowed tummy complete with belly-button. Although the classic text has firm philosophical underpinnings this JOURNEY TO THE WEST does not take itself too seriously. The charm and whimsy are as essential here as are grappling with the enduring questions of search and origin and enlightenment.

A wonderful ensemble of 13 very adept actors brings this imaginative spectacle to life.

Dallas Tolentino delivers a Monkey King who is smart, arrogant, flawed, loyal and endearing. It is this monkey who helps us realize that finding ourselves is the essential element of the journey, not the destination itself. He does so while turning cartwheels, handsprings and all sorts of acrobatic feats of monkey merriment.

Ashley Ivey as Tripitaka is outwardly calm and centered as befits the pious and intelligent monk. But this is no simplistic goody-goody. Ivey delivers a multi-layered very human Tripitaka who struggles through his 81 trials, but one who can offer a wry smile or a raised eyebrow at all the craziness life dishes out.

The two other travelers, Michael Kevin Darnall (as Sha Monk the river monster) and Ryan Tumulty (Pig) are offer memorable performances that are equally endearing and outlandish. Guiding the travelers from afar is the sensible and unflappable Guanyin; Lilian Oben delivers a very compassionate, grounded and approachable bodhisattva.

Natalie Cutcher, Megan Dominy, Marquis D. Gibson, David Mavricos, Justine "Icy" Moral, Matthew Pauli, Rafael Sebastian and Jacob Yeh play multiple roles. They give each character and each moment unique thought and spirit. Many of the vignettes are high points in the work. JOURNEY TO THE WEST exemplifies the best of ensemble work and each of these players contributes significantly to the overall excellence of the production.

Constellation Theatre Company is known for its high production values and JOURNEY TO THE WEST is no exception. A.J. Guban's flexible scenic design of curving arcs and elevated ramps includes glossy bamboo walls and carved panels that shift color and form as they integrate beautifully with Colin K. Bills' lush lighting design. Kendra Rai's costumes are bright pops of color and form - and they are loads of fun. The costumes go beyond setting us in time and place; they do the lion's share of making the 13 ensemble members nimbly shift from one interesting character to two or three others in a story of truly epic proportions. With masks, hats and fantastical creatures added to the mix, the costume shop must have been hopping. Props designed by Gadgetgrlz Deb Crerie and Kay Rzasa - groupings of paper parasols, silk spooling out from folding fans, a wicker travel basket - are all used sparingly and to great effect.

Tom Teasley serves as the sound designer but, in an even more vital role, he composed the music which he performs solo each 2-1/2 hour performance. Live, original music is knit into the DNA of Constellation Theatre and Teasley has been a significant part of that - Teasley's work for the musical composition and sound design of Constellation's CRAZYFACE and THE RAMAYANA earned Helen Hayes Awards; he will find out on May 23 whether his nomination for THE FIRE AND THE RAIN will result in a third trophy. The score for THE JOURNEY TO THE WEST has the award-winning world music percussionist layering gongs, traditional Chinese cymbals, blocks and a host of other instruments.

Pauline Grossman's choreography brings great beauty, strength and verve to JOURNEY TO THE WEST. From Monkey's restless gymnastics to the fluid motion of water, Grossman integrates a wide range of movement and visual energy into the production.

Constellation Theatre has great success in the past with Artistic Director Allison Arkell Stockman bringing Constellation's aesthetic and sensibilities to playwright Mary Zimmerman's distinctive style, as with METAMORPHOSES and THE ARABIAN NIGHTS. THE JOURNEY TO THE WEST continues that proven combination brilliantly.

Runtime: 2:30 plus one intermission; no late seating.

JOURNEY TO THE WEST by Mary Zimmerman runs through May 22 May 22 with shows on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays & Sundays at 2:00 pm; additional shows Monday, May 9 at 8:00 pm (Industry Night) and Sunday, May 22 at 7:30 pm. The production is at Source, 1835 14th St. NW. For tickets or for more information on special performances including discussion, guided meditation or brunch, please visit Constellation Theatre's website here.

Photos by DJ Corey Photography. Top: Dallas Tolentino and Justine "Icy" Moral. Next: Ashley Ivey, Dallas Tolentino, Ryan Tumulty and Michael Kevin Darnall. Center: Matthew Pauli and Dallas Tolentino. Next: Justine "Icy" Moral, Ashley Ivey, Natalie Cutcher. Bottom: Ashley Ivey and Dallas Tolentino.

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