Punk Kabuki

An unlikely marriage, I know, but Brendan Connelly (composer) and Brooke O'Harra (director) make Drum of the Waves of Horikawa a wild ride throughout. The 18th century kabuki play by Chikamatsu in Donald Keene's translation is electrifyingly alive in the mouths and bodies of this crack team of performers who fully embrace the thrash-mosh energy of Brendan's moody punk-ish compositions. I was particularly impressed by Heidi Schreck -- who I'd seen in several other shows -- and thought this was the best work she's done, and that she really carried the show from each gyration to the next cross-eyed grimace. I'm not sure it needed to be 2 hours long (five episodes) and towards the end, especially after Schreck's character is beheaded, the drive to the end lags a bit. Also noteworthy were all the design elements by regulars of Theater of a Two-Headed Calf, Emily Rebholz' costumes, Justin Townsend's lights, and Peter Ksander's set -- I think half the plays I see have sets by Peter, his designs are always exciting, creative and very specific. Check out the toilet-plungers.