It’s the final installment of an annual production that has wowed audiences with its outrageous humor, over the top sets and wacky routines.
“The Enchanted Forest Cabaret” shows are the brainchild of Orcas Center‘s Theatre Productions Director Deborah Sparks with creative input from a cast that includes veteran performers Grace McCune and Jake Perrine.
“It is so wonderful when you find a group of people who have serious talent and you can work in collaboration,” Sparks said. “They know my humor and they go with it. They don’t resist it – they enhance it. This is the most fun I have ever had in a theatre production … If you have heard about it and haven’t seen it, here is your opportunity.”
“Enchanted Forest Cabaret – Cloud 7” will be performed at the OffCenter Stage from Thursday to Saturday, Oct. 10 to 12 and 17 to 19 at 7:30 p.m. This year it will be set up like a nightclub with audience members seated at small tables. Tickets are $15, $11 students and $2 off for Orcas Center members at 376-ACT1 or www.orcascenter.org.
All of the usual suspects are back: Carmen, Dr. Livingston, Lilith, Major Tom, Manbot and the kids. Picking up from last fall’s storyline, Zorg saved everyone by getting them on a rocket ship, but he was left behind. The spacecraft landed on a cloud and after months of not getting the machine back up and running, Carmen and Dr. Livingston open a nightclub. Their plans are interrupted by Durga Durga, a villainess trailed by loyal minions. Their tale of adventure and intrigue is portrayed by dance numbers, singing and a lot of craziness.
Carmen is played by McCune, Dr. Livingston is portrayed by Perrine, Manbot is played by Jim Schaffer-Bauch, Khodoma Colomby is Lilith and newcomer Cali Bagby is Durga Durga. Other cast members are Matthew Laslo-White, Kellen Comrie, Ray Doss, Paris Wilson, Stormy Hildreth, Ed, Lani and Diego Lago, Charles Dalton, Donna Laslo and more.
“My character and I have grown fond of each other,” McCune said. “It’s fun to play a totally over the top character and let it all hang out. It is so nonsensical and fun. I love being able to express that way. This character helped me find that I have a comedic bone in me.”
Sparks describes the sets and costumes as “1960s Vegas and Rat Pack meets pop art and Pucci.” Sarah Mikolowsky and Amanda Sparks are designing the costumes, Chris Brems is creating the sets and Ani Sparks is doing the place settings for the cocktail tables. Laura Ludwig has choreographed a dance number for the men in the production.
Doron Gazit of Air Dimensional Design in Los Angeles is lending five of his inflatable creations for the show.
“They are beautiful shapes that look like amoebas,” Sparks said. “He has been so generous. I am very excited about getting the pieces.”
This show marks the last run of Enchanted Forest Cabaret. The cast is sad to say farewell but has enjoyed every minute of their time together.
“This is by far my most favorite theatrical show of all the shows I have done,” McCune said. “Sometimes you just have to not take life so seriously. It has brought a lot of joy to me and my fellow actors.”