#Bjorn Bolinder

[dance-world]

Gianni Goffredo - Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo - photo by Bjorn Bolinder

[fearsmagazine]

A BKBX FRANKENSTEIN - Review

Dates: November 17th to 20th, 2022 Company: Broken Box Mime Theater (BKBX) | www.brokenboxmime.com Theater: 14th St Y, 344 E 14th St New York, 10003 | www.14streety.org Actors: Julia Cavagna, Duane Cooper, Blake Habermann, David Jenkins, Marissa Molnar, Kristin McCarthy Parker, Regan Sims, Leah Wagner, & Josh Wynter . Crew: Artistic Director - Becky Baumwoll; Associate Artistic Director - Tasha Milkman; Stage Manager - Celina Revollar; Lighting Design - Annie Liu; Composer, Music Director, Sound Design - Jack McGuire; & Resident Stage Manager - Esti Bernstein

SYNOPSIS: The production takes many themes of Mary Shelly’s “Frankenstein” and incorporates them into seven contemporary tales:

“The Opening” - A scientist works on her creature and faces her entity, its reception, and the consequences of the clashes.

“The Answers” - In what feels like a tale taken from the headlines, an individual joins others participating in a self-improvement group that transforms into a cult-like experience where the group becomes the body of the creation.

“Automatic” - An interesting examination of society’s compulsion with military indoctrination, weapons, and the fear that can rise out of it.

“M-Pop” - An engaging look at the exploitation of boy bands, the extremes that it can go to, and in the final act presents a dark extreme that feels like an eventual finale.

“Starship Excelsior” - A sci-fi take on the “Frankenstein” story as the production’s take moves from an Arctic setting to outer space. The tale takes several interesting twists and turns as it pauses before the final confrontation.

“Our Corporate Promise” - What opens with lighter notes transforms into a dark comment on corporate America and our individual responsibility as contributors to climate change.

“Survival Mode” - A compelling blend of themes that looks at the modern family and how it is impacted by monsters, technology, and alternate realities that can offer an escape.

“Starship Excelsior” - in the conclusion the company brings the performance to an end as they address the issues of what it means to be responsible for what we create, the concept of what it means to be alive, and our place among the stars.

L to R - Back Row: David Jenkins, Marissa Molnar; Front Row Becky Baumwoll, Blake Habermann, Dinah Berkeley | Courtesy Bjorn Bolinder

REVIEW: I was intrigued that the concepts in Mary Shelly’s “Frankenstein” were adapted into contemporary themes and presented using the art of mime. Sure I was familiar with mimes and remember seeing the most famous mime Marcel Marceau on television in my youth. Still, I went into the performance with an open mind and limited expectations.

14th St Y Black Box Theater is an impressive space. I’ve been to many off-off Broadway productions over the years in spaces that were converted into makeshift theater spaces. The Y’s space feels like a smaller version of St. Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn, NY. Not something I would expect to find in a Y, known mostly for its physical fitness space and pool. The venue has an excellent sound and lighting system, and an impressive floor to ceiling screen, and the production adeptly took full advantage of the space.

The production did an excellent job of weaving in lighting and original musical pieces to marvelously enhance the tales. Jack McGuire composed the majority of the music for the production and there are some other compositions provided by additional contributors. It’s interesting how the pieces fit together so well as there is a homogeneous sound design to the music. It’s not quite new age music, but there is a tone and feel that nicely complements the pieces. The music and the lighting are the only elements to augment the performances as the art of mime employees no other props or set design. Those elements brilliantly add to the magical spell the performers weave over the audience.

L to R - Blake Habermann, Joel Perez | Courtesy Bjorn Bolinder

The performers are dressed all in black and it delightfully works with the science fiction themes of the stories. Unlike traditional mimes, their arms are exposed, they are not wearing gloves, and their whiteface is minimally accentuated with black lines. The makeup is not a thick, heavy, pancake makeup. Mime is known for exaggerated facial expressions, but this makeup, combined with the lighting, allows many of the subtle facial expressions to come through and convey a wider array of emotions. Also, the short sleeves and lack of gloves adds to their performances as you see the emotional state is reflected in their musculature. It elevates their performances from mime to a physical modern dance.

The cast is mesmerizing. Again, their performances transcend the mime art form and are as fluid and poetic as modern dance. I couldn’t help but think of the Pilobolus dance company. There are movements and positions that require a dancer’s strength and agility, as well as grace and fluidity. Their movement clearly channels the themes of each piece, feels like physical poetry, and is equally hypnotic. They seamlessly move between pieces creating unique characters. They create lighter moments where and allow the pieces dark moments to organically rise up. There are numerous haunting moments that resonate after the show.

I loved the concept of each piece and how that applied to the “Frankenstein” themes. It was interesting how there was a cohesiveness to all the performances and pieces, even though the opening and Starship Excelsior part one and two are more directly linked. There are no spoken words but you feel the story arcs and understand the narrative. The work transcends spoken language and is an exceptional storytelling experience. It affects the head, the heart, and the stomach presenting a complex emotional palette.

L to R - Blake Habermann, Regan Sims, Joel Perez | Courtesy Bjorn Bolinder

A BKBX FRANKENSTEIN is an extraordinary theater experience that, without question, has the attributes of a Broadway production. A talented cast is put through the paces of award worthy choreography that is intensified by effective musical pieces and magical lighting. I was blown away and left the theater feeling both invigorated and introspective. The production enthralled me right from the opening and held me to the end. Unquestionably an unparalleled production company, I eagerly await what they deliver next. A BKBX FRANKENSTEIN was a remarkable theatrical experience.

Review By: Joseph B Mauceri

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Gianni Goffredo | Photos by Bjorn Bolinder | @findthelightphotography

[larryland]

From August 24-27 Broken Box Mime Theater  (BKBX) will be in residence at the Bennington Center for the Arts, 44 Gypsy Lane in Bennington, VT.

Winners of the 2016 New York Innovative Theatre Awards for Outstanding Ensemble, Performance Art, and Choreography/Movement, BKBX is back in the studio to create new work that activates the imagination of their audiences, contemporizes the art of mime, and reminds us all of the power of simple storytelling.  Set to lights and music, pieces range from realistic to metaphorical, heart-wrenching to hilarious, cinematic to intimate and everything in between, held together by the belief that great theater requires little ornamentation, only great vision.

Join us on Sunday, August 27th at 2pm to learn about contemporary mime, collaborative process, and how simple storytelling can be a vehicle for impactful theater. This engaging, informal presentation with the company is open to all! 

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 Admission is “pay what you can” and all ages are encouraged to attend.   Funds received will go directly to the artists.

A generous donor will provide a dollar for dollar match for the admissions collected from this event and that match will be applied to the Bennington Center for the Arts performance fund.  This is an excellent opportunity for you to support to both your local venue and the artists whom we serve.

The covered bridge museum and galleries will be open from 10am until 5pm this day as well.  Should you choose to further explore our exhibits, admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and children 12 and under are free.  The Bennington Center for the Arts will be offering a 10% discount on any new memberships or renewals made on this day which, among other benefits, will allow you free access to our galleries and exhibits year round!

Photo credits to Bjorn Bolinder

Broken Box Mime Theater Performs at the Bennington Center for the Arts From August 24-27 Broken Box Mime Theater  (BKBX) will be in residence at the Bennington Center for the Arts,

[dance-world]

Gianni Goffredo - Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo - photo by Bjorn Bolinder

[lovelyballetandmore]

Gianni Goffredo | Photo by Bjorn Bolinder | @findthelightphotography