Director Hatem Adell has taken playwright Pete Riesenberg’s reinvention of Jason and the Argonauts into the 21st century in an intriguing drama perfectly set in the Cambridge dungeon that was the original Cantab Lounge (now Club Bohemia.) The atmosphere, much like the old coffee houses of the 60s, adds to the vibe as the seven actors – who double as the rock band in the play – prove to be well cast for this kaleidoscope of clashing cultures.
The six page Playbill-styled theater program booklet is informative and a necessary adjunct to the festivities. An almost road map, perhaps more of a guide as it is the actors who take us on the journey, Tim Hoover as Orpheus/Euphemus of September (Euphemus in Greek mythology was the name of several distinct characters,) R. Benton Orzalli (Meleager, Euphemus of August,) Kim H. Carrell (Heracles, Euphemus of October,) Daniel Boudreau (Peleus, Euphemus of November,) Liz Adams (Daughter/Medea,) Rick Chason (Nestor, Euphemus of July) and Emma Walker (Atlanta, Mother.) They all display an enthusiasm and skills in bringing the creative and unique Riesenberg play to life.
The music brings the unfamiliar to the drama in a sudden rush, lyrics by Tim Hoover, the music composed by Clear Deigns and the cast of J.A.S.O.N. with the actors calling their band Jason and the Argonauts, of course.
It’s something you have to experience on your own, this overview just some information on a complex saga that demands your total attention.
In performance Saturdays October 11, 18 and 25 @ 3 PM at Club Bohemia, downstairs at the Cantab, 736 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, Mass. And Sundays @ 7 PM October 12, 19 and 26.
Joe Viglione is the Chief Film Critic at TMRZoo.com. He has written thousands of reviews and biographies for AllMovie.com, Allmusic.com, Gatehouse Media, Al Aronowitz’s The Blacklisted Journal, and a variety of other media outlets. Joe also produces and hosts Visual Radio, a seventeen year old variety show on cable TV which has interviewed Jodie Foster, director/screenwriter David Koepp, Michael Moore, John Cena, comics/actors Margaret Cho, Gilbert Gottfried, Gallagher, musicians Mark Farner and Don Brewer of Grand Funk Railroad, Ian Hunter of Mott The Hoople, Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals, political commentator Bill Press and hundreds of other personalities.
