[NEohioPAL] Berko review: LOBSTER ALICE @ convergence-continuum

[Roy Berko]

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 *LOBSTER ALICE:  Salvatore Dali and Walt Disney at convergence continuum *



Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association, Cleveland Critics Circle)



Walt Disney was an animator, cartoonist, producer, director, screenwriter,
and the voice of Mickey Mouse.  He won 22 Academy Awards.  It is ironic
that for a man noted for producing some of the most beloved and lovable
visual characters, he was emotionally conservative, not often drawing
attention to himself.



Salvador Dali was an egotistical surrealist Spanish painter, who was noted
for his bizarre and striking art images.  His best-known piece was "The
Persistence of Memory," a melting clock.  He "loved everything that was
gilded and excessive."  He wore bizarre oriental clothing and colorful
scarves.  He loved to draw attention to himself, and freely expressed his
views.



Ironically, Disney and Dali, formed a partnership when, in 1946, the former
hired the latter to be the creative consultant on Disney's "Alice in
Wonderland."



Kira Obolensky's "Lobster Alice," which is now in production at
convergence-continuum, is a historification of Dali's involvement in the
Alice project and the very short film that resulted from his "Hollywood
adventure."



The story centers on John Finch, an uptight, pedestrian Disney animator and
his secretary/assistant, Alice Horowitz.   He is working on the "Alice in
Wonderland" project and has a crush on his secretary.  She, much like the
wonderland lass, is blonde and curious.



Enter Dali, out goes routine.  Enter Dali, the whole world turns upside
down, including Alice falling down a hole.  In this case, it's a hole in
the sofa in the Disney studio office.  (Hey, remember, this is a fantasy.)



The buttoned-down Finch has been assigned to oversee Dali's animating the
song, "Destino" in hopes of creating another "Fantasia."  Weekly, Monday
meetings are planned.  But Dali isn't one for sticking to a project,
following rules, or letting Finch and Alice lead their previous ordered
existence.  Yes, Dali believes that "anything is possible in painting and
in life," and turns into the Mad Hatter who stirs the simmering dreams of
Finch and Alice.



Obolensky's surreal script isn't extremely well written, but it does have
enough bizarre lines and situations to hold the audience's attention.  There
are lots of mind-bending visual effects, some confounding uses of lobsters,
a couch which acts as Alice's hole to wonderland, a green and yellow
"Caterpillar," a cleaning man, Alice's former boyfriend, and, of course,
Salvador Dali.



Sarah Maria Hess, she of blond curls, a blue "ALICE IN WONDERLAND" dress,
Betty Boop cutesy voice, and saucer blue eyes, makes for a delightful Alice
Horowitz.



Tom Coles is properly uptight as John Finch.  Though the writing causes him
to overplay a naïve twit, he carries off the characterization well.



Grey Cross is hysterical as Dali. Complete with the famous "Dali waxed
mustache," he looks like the great surrealist.  He walks, swishes, sashays
and controls the stage with a bigger than life portrayal.  Without Cross,
the play would have gone down the hole and never come back.



Beau Reinker plays multi-roles, including a Caterpillar, with a nice touch
of irony.



Director Clyde Simon keeps the action humming right along.



*Capsule Judgement:  "Lobster Alice" is not a great play, but con-con gives
it a surrealist production which should delight the theatre's niche
audience.  If you want an evening of the unexpected and irrational, this
could be your thing. *



"Lobster Alice" runs through  April 5, 2014 at 8 pm Thursdays, Fridays and
Saturdays at convergence-continuum's artistic home, The Liminis, at 2438
Scranton Rd. in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood. For information and
reservations call 216-687-0074.



Con-con's next show is the Cleveland premiere of "Swimming in the Shallow"
by Adam Bock, which runs from May 2nd through the 24th.

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