“A flaming eagle takes you on a tour of the capitol… And [you] end up back here in this room… And the show begins…” This flamboyant monologue ushers the audience into the Elephant Room, a fantastically wacky show created by Steve Cuiffo, Trey Lyford, and Geoff Sobelle and featuring magicians Dennis Diamond, Daryl Hannah, and Louie Magic. Commissioned by Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles, this is a co-premier between Arena Stage and the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival. The production presents a madcap combination of magic tricks, audience participation, and one rather intimate conversation with the Dalai Lama, who just doesn’t want to go to bed. And, truly, when faced with this wonderfully silly trio, who would?
Dennis Diamond, Louie Magic and Daryl Hannah in 'Elephant Room.' Photo by Scott Suchman.
Before the performance even begins, an unseen voice encourages the audience to repeat a series of nonsensical words with “a little more verve” before they are finally “authorized to watch the show.” By the time the magicians take the stage- or couch- in a cloud of smoke (naturally), energy in the room is palpably high. The production maintains such liveliness by weaving the world of magic into an entertaining evening of jokes, illusions, awkward yet witty self-disclosure, and creative interaction with select audience members. Occasionally, the performs imply how some of their tricks work just enough to keep the audience feeling as if they do, indeed, know the inside joke while allowing the fantasy to remain.
Director Paul Lazar has brilliantly choreographed comic moments with the magicians, who play off of – and talk over – one another as if it is second nature. Set Designer Mimi Lien has quite literally created the ‘Elephant Room,’ a zany basement propped several feet above the stage, where, “The walls are made of secrets… or particle board…” The magicians variably crawl on, around, and through this space. Less than an hour and a half after it begins, the production has coated the room and its immediate vicinity in the remains of props, tinsel, vegetables, and the occasional splash of cracked egg or spilled milk.
If you are bringing children – and there were some in the audience last night who enjoyed themselves – be forwarned that adult humor is implied throughout the show.
This is one funny production that you don’t want to miss! You’ll have a great time!
Running Time: One hour and 15 minutes, with no intermission.
Elephant Room runs now through February 26 in the Kogod Cradle at the Mead Center for American Theater at Arena Stage- 1101 Sixth St. SW, Washington DC. For tickets, call (202) 488-3300 or purchase them online.
Natalie McCabe is pursuing her MA in Theatre History and Criticism at Catholic University. Originally from the Philadelphia area, she received her BA in Theatre and minor in International Arts at Penn State University, where she met her husband. She has spent the past four years working for Historic Philadelphia, Inc. as a first-person interpreter and storyteller. Natalie hopes to work as a dramaturg and pursue her PhD after graduating from Catholic in 2013.
