“Icarus” imaginative inventive production at CRT

STORRS- Like a cross between “Rosemary’s Baby” and “Alien,” the wildly imaginative, creative interpretation of “Icarus” is playing at the studio theater at the Uconn’s Connecticut Repertory Theatre Wednesday through Sunday.
Based on the ancient Greek myth of Icarus, the boy who flew too high on feathered wings, this show is definitely the stuff of nightmares for young children, while giving lingering, hypnotic impressions to adults.
Set in ancient impoverished Crete, King Minos is desperate for an heir, but his Queen Pasephae is without child.
Rather than sacrificing the white bull to appease the wrathful ocean god Poseidon, Minos allows his queen’s wish and does not sacrifice the bull, with dire consequences.
She is impregnated by the bull giving birth to a half-man, half-bull monster, the Minotar, which is imprisoned in a death-trap labyrinth.
The fighting behind the screen between the Minotar and villagers is well done, and the labyrinthine moving walls are inspired.
The king’s inventor, Daedalus, has his own set of problems. His son, Icarus, dreams of his dead mother, who died because of Daedalus’ greed in catching too many fish.
Daedalus eventually loses favor with the king who banishes Daedalus and Icarus to a deserted island. When Daedalus invents the wings to escape, he warns his son not to fly too close to the son, but just like a teenager, Icarus pays no attention until it is too late.
This show uses puppetry as an augmentation to the action, rather than as the main characters, to impressive effect.
The gigantic white bull is truly ominous and terrifying, juxtaposed as it is next to the flirty, petulant queen who is in way over her head. Played by equity actor Lyn Kagen, who looks much like a young Heddy Lamar, she gives a transfixing performance as the dazed and disappointed queen.
When Pasephae gives birth her screams of agony are intense, and while not graphic, it is definitely not for young kids.
Robert Rosado is convincing and moving as the devastated king who ruins his world with his stubborn, privileged superiority, unable to bend and so is broken.
Sarah Murdoch who plays Neucrate, Daedalus’ wife and Icarus’ mother, is ethereal and lovely as the doomed beloved.
The story is simple, but the production is not. The music is excellent, from the simple guitar, to the recorded orchestral compositions, to Metallica, with sound designed by Emily Tritsch and sound and music mixing by Stefano Brancato. Brancato directed “Icarus” as well and adapted and co-created the show with Michael Bush.
Bush designed the puppets, which, in addition to the imposing white bull, included the stunning Poseidon, the delicate, inspired seagulls, and the other ancillary and glorious puppets.
The costumes by costume designer Mitchell Travers, were like living creatures themselves — with leather and rope bodices, intricate stitching, and detailed but loose tailoring, each fit the various characters as if they were born to wear them, including Icarus’ exquisite white knit tunic and fabulously darted white pants.
The solid and movable set by Jeanette Drake was minimalist but effective.
The show is at times top heavy with narration, but as the play progresses, the payoff is an amazing, hypnotic, and original achievement.

ICARUS

3 Stars
Theater: Connecticut Repertory Theatre
Location: Studio Theater, 802 Bolton Road, Storrs.
Production: Adaptation written and co-created by Stefano Brancato and Michael Bush. Directed by Stefano Brancato. Puppet designer Michael Bush. Scenic designer Jeanette Drake. Lighting designer Alex Goldberg. Sound designer Emily Tritsch. Sound and music mixing by Stefano Brancato. Costume designer Mitchell Travers. Technical direction by Ed Weingart. Production stage manager Tamsen Brooke Warner.
Running time: 2 hours including one intermission.
Show Times: Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday, through Apr. 5.
Tickets: $13 to $26. Call 486-4266 of visit their Web site at www.crt.uconn.edu.
ACTOR…CHARACTER
Scott Cooke … Icarus
Robert Rosado … Minos, the king
Lyn Kagen … Pasephae, the queen
Fergus Walsh … Daedalus, Icarus’ father
Zach Dorn … Old Man
Sarah Murdoch … Neucrate, Daedalus’ wife
Michael Truman Cavanaugh … Minotar/Lifter
Zane Roberts … Strong man/King’s snooty attendant
Joseph Therrien … Lead narrator
Zoe Besmond de Senneville … Second narrator and mad woman
Seth Koproski … Third narrator
Anastasia Brewczynski ... Fourth narrator/Rouser
Lauren Horoszewski … Fire dancer