THIS IS THE DAY 91 – Written and Directed by the Buntport Theatre Company. Produced by the Buntport Theatre Company (presented at 717 Lipan, Denver) through June 14. Tickets available at 720-946-1388 or Buntport.com.
Watching a Buntport show is like listening to a symphony. There are the major themes that outline the story . . . . but then in-between those signposts of storytelling, there is an onslaught of grace notes, jazz riffs, head-banging shock, and occasionally, a thoughtful pause or two. Then back to the symphonic parts, and you start all over again. You eventually get the whole story (more or less), but the tangents that get thrown into the mix are often educational or pointless or silly . . . or all three.
The basic story of this new adventure – THIS IS THE DAY 91 (never did figure out what the title had to do with the story) – is about three grown friends who are seeking to replicate an event from their teen years that won them an extraordinary honor. They have had a duplicate of a teenage bedroom constructed (complete with a hallway); they have found appropriate clothing from the era; they have rehearsed their dialogue from before, during, and after the event; they have the timer ready. But they have to wait until the exact time is right to start. It is the back and forth, the memories revealed, the uncertainty of the worth of their efforts, and the depth of the connections between the three now-grown friends that create those grace notes – those jazz riffs. There’s no point in even trying to describe the chaos and gut-busting comedy of the situation. It has to be seen and heard to be believed.
Erin Rollman and Hannah Duggan are the pseudo-teenage motivators behind this reconstruction. Brian Colonna is their somewhat stunned but enthusiastic co-conspirator. There is a long build-up to this mysterious event that is way too much fun to watch than to worry about “when are they going to get to it?” Trust me, folks, it’s worth the wait.
Brian, in a recent interview, when asked about the group’s achievements, reported that he was drawn to moments of magic. “When the unexpected happens and it’s truly transporting . . . for the audience.” Well, something totally unexpected happened near the end of this chaotic evening that left the audience shocked and stunned . . . . in a good way. Even for the innovative and creative playmakers of this troupe, this was a masterful finale to the always brilliant work of the babes of Buntport. I think it’s safe to say that nothing ever happens by accident on the set of one of their shows.
I can’t leave out the work of the silent fourth in this little sonata. SamAnTha Schmitz brings her own brand of magic to the table by providing the innovative bass notes to the evening. It is she who masterminds the accompanying sound effects, musical background, enlightening lighting and crazy-ass special effects. I can’t say the shows would be flat without her magic, but I can say they are a lot more visually and aurally stimulating because of her.
If there is anyone in the theatre-going citizens of Denver and surrounds that has yet to discover Buntport, what the hell are you waiting for???
A WOW factor of 9.5!!