Play:“Romanov Family Yard Sale”
Company:ERA (Equally Represented Arts) Experimental Theatre
Venue: Kranzberg Black Box Theatre, 501 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis
Dates:July 11 to 13, 18 to 20
Tickets:$15 to $25; contact 314-534-1111 or metrotix.com
Story:You’re trying to raise some funds because money isn’t flowing in as easily as it used to for your family. You have a recognizable name in town, in fact around the entire country, and people would probably think you’re “good” for some fancy products sold at reasonable prices.
People are also reading…
So, you decide to hold a yard sale, because that is what people do in “capeetalism.” It’s 1919, and you’re a surviving member of the storied Romanov family, the one that ruled Russia for more than 300 years before the Bolsheviks said they wanted – and had–a revolution and then executed the last Romanov czar and his royal family.
Those Romanovs came to a bad end, but you’re a distant relative and you’re hoping to make enough on your yard sale to high-tail it out of the motherland to some safe, distant haven. In the meantime, you invite curious shoppers to browse through your valuable and/or quaint 'shhtuff'in a former, czar-sponsored theater that has been left in tatters by those crude, rude Bolsheviks.
Are the shoppers interested in a purchase? You will make them a deal, ‘cause everything must go. It’s a Romanov family yard sale, and everything must go. “Big sale,” and everything must go. “Huge discounts,” and everything must go!
Highlights:Playwright Courtney Bailey collaborates with the free spirits in artistic director Lucy Cashion’s ERA troupe for a fun-filled, dazzling, whirlwind of a theatrical romp that is daring, delightful and daffy, all at the same time.
Other info: Bailey hit a home run a couple of years ago with her wonderful comedy, “Bronte Sister House Party,” which was performed by SATE (Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble), another local company populated by frenzied, energetic and talented performers.
Many of the folks who were involved with “Bronte Sister House Party” have their hands on this newest fanciful effort by Bailey, to everyone’s benefit. Divided into two acts, “Romanov Family Yard Sale” is a hoot from the moment one walks into the theater, where two members of the Romanov entourage implore the visitor to check out the family’s expansive yard sale, held on the floor of the stage.
The ERA website notes that this show “is a real yard sale, in which the people making the play purge their stuff.” Therefore, patrons are given some tickets with which to purchase any items that may strike their fancy such as flavored, ground coffee or a book on the life of F. Scott Fitzgerald, or maybe some tea or hot cocoa (just thinking out loud). Since those tickets are gratis, this is one bargain of a yard sale.
The concept is amusing, and the execution by the ensemble of experimental theater artists is top-notch. It’s hilarious and wondrous to see Rachel Tibbetts as bossy Big Yelena, Ellie Schwetye as subservient Little Yelena, and Cassidy Flynn as ol’ wily Rasputin himself.
There are three Mashas, namely Celeste Gardner, Kristen Strom and Maggie Conroy as Masha numbers 1, 2 and 3, respectively, although Masha 3 seems to garner the lion’s share of lines and is deferred to by the other Mashas. Ashwini Aurora is the bride-to-be Anastasia, and Miranda Jagels Felix is weird, wacky Aunt Babooshka, who fixates on that singular word, "babooshka."
Adam Flores plays cousin Alexi, who can’t seem to accept the reality that his sweetheart is now a cadaver, and Anthony Kramer is good ol’ annoying Uncle Boris, who is tolerated by the others. Alicen Moser plays Pigbat, who slavishly obeys the whims of the capricious Rasputin, and Joe Taylor is “a chorus of raccoons,” whatever that is.
And then there are the documentarians, Chrissie Watkins as Dody and John Wolbers as Kirk. They keep their newfangled cameras operating at lickety-split speed, recording valuable information about these once and future Romanovs.
Cashion’s direction, as is often the case with her challenging shows, is barely controlled chaos until one delves further into what’s really happening on stage. Cashion also co-produced the show with Will Bonfiglio, and she created the scenic design, a funky, garish look that is ideal for this ingenious, wacky adventure.
Taylor’s compositions capture the sound of Russian folk tunes, and he serves admirably as musical director. Taylor is also director of photography and video editor for the film that is kind of an addendum (an unnecessary one at that) to Bailey’s story, which would be better served if it ended some five minutes before it actually does.
Keating’s accent and dialect coaching is put to good effect by the likes of Schwetye, Tibbetts, Conroy and others; Marcy Wiegert contributes the fanciful costumes; and Denisse Chavez adds well-appointed lighting, while Cashion and Taylor provide an interesting sound design.
There’s so much going on in "Romanov Family Yard Sale." ERA names its inspirations for the unusual story: Southern yard sales, the 1975 documentary "Grey Gardens," the 1997 animated feature "Anastasia," Kate Bush’s hit song "Babooshka," the 1996 flick "Independence Day" (no, seriously), episode No. 822 of "This American Life," and the "beanie baby bubble burst of 1999."
That’s a bunch of inspiration! However, as disjointed and disparate as those sources appear to be, Bailey and Cashion have weaved together a funny, bright, even educational foray into Russian history. By all means, check out the “Romanov Family Yard Sale” and leave with a treasure trove of goodies. Because everything must go.
Photos courtesy of ERA Theatre
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