The cast of Happenstance Theater’s “ADRIFT.” Photo by Leah Huete.
Going to a Happenstance Theater production is like opening a jewel box. You never know what is inside but guaranteed it will be a treasure trove of imagination, talent, and creativity—always brilliant and always a delight. The husband-and-wife teams of Mark Jaster and Sabrina Mandell, Alex Vernon and Sarah Olmsted Thomas (aka puppeteers Alex & Olmsted), with Gwen Grastorf rounding out the troupe, have again created an enchanting production of perhaps a not-so-enchanting time—the medieval world after an apocalypse. They take inspiration from the paintings and fantastical (and sometimes frightening) imagery of 15th century Dutch artists Hieronymous Bosch and Pieter Bruegel and blend it with magic and mystery of the Tarot, puppetry, pantomime, and physical comedy—with a dash of Monty Python. Happenstance Theater has created another thoughtful gem of a show that, despite the subject matter, is also full of hope and lessons that can be applied to today’s climate crisis—and just life. In so many ways, we have lost our connection to the land and creatures that those, in the past, held in awe and wonderment.
…a treasure trove of imagination, talent, and creativity—always brilliant and always a delight…never miss an opportunity to see a production by this multi-talented company of players and artists.
On the left of the stage there is a group of simple instruments used for music from the 12th-16th centuries (music direction by Gwen Grastorf and Mark Jaster) and also for sound effects by the cast. On the right side of the stage are various barrels used as set pieces. The blowing of a horn opens the show. Holding a round, painted scene, the actors—using puppetry and their own voices for the sound of wind and birds—show a healthy landscape with trees. A storm cloud appears, then a hurricane, lightning, fire, and, finally, a flood.
What follows is a series of vignettes beginning with five people adrift, crammed together in what might be a barrel. The question through it all, good or bad, is “what do we do now?” The audience is asked to participate in a song and questions drawn from a box posed to the two great diviners. There is a magician, a “doctor,” an egg, a strawberry, the process of life and death and life again, a wonderful demon (Thomas), and a butterfly/moth (Mandell) who takes away your troubles—for a time. To say much more would give all the fun away.
As a resident company of Theatre Project, Happenstance utilizes its black box so well. By not using elaborate sets, the laser focus is on the actors and the creative elements built and painted by them. There are the gorgeous and historically accurate costumes by Sabrina Mandell. Her other talents are on exhibit in the painted puppets and other props. Alex Vernon and Sarah Olmsted Thomas share their gifts as puppeteers (who are yearly awarded a grant from the Jim Henson Foundation) with shadow puppets and a creature puppet right out of a Bosch painting—part dog, ram, and bird. With the assistance of Nancy Rodrigues and stage manager Darielle Shandler, the entire cast has a hand in all aspects of the production, in addition to their roles as the characters—and they sing beautifully. Tori Muñoz’s lighting compliments each scene, giving it depth and beauty.
How lucky Baltimore is to have Happenstance Theater as a resident company at Theatre Project. Don’t miss this one. It fact, never miss an opportunity to see a production by this multi-talented company of players and artists.
Running Time: Approximately 80 minutes with no intermission.
“Adrift: A Medieval Wayward Folly” EXTENDED March 15-17, 2024, presented by Happenstance Theater at Baltimore Theatre Project,
