The Red Balloon
Tongue and Groove Theatre's new show leaves you feeling like something dark and heavy has been lifted up and carried far, far away
Reviewed by Elizabeth Cobbe, Fri., July 18, 2008
The Red Balloon
Salvage Vanguard Theater, through July 26 | Running time: 1 hr
Remember that kid in school? You know, the loner kid who never played with anybody else at recess, who sat by himself at lunch with his lunch box on his knees?
Oh, right. A lot of us were that kid.
Tongue and Groove Theatre's original show The Red Balloon dredges up several memories starring that kid and dramatizes them onstage, not in a weirdo-turns-raging-killer way, but in a way that is innocent, charming, and heartwarming. The boy, played by Artistic Director Mark Stewart, is a dreamer and a loner, and on the way home one day, he discovers a giant red balloon with a giant personality. The two of them get along and dance and prance and enjoy themselves thoroughly, and the boy finds himself looking at the lives of people around him through changed eyes. Then along comes a trio of bullies who make life interesting for the boy and his balloon-buddy.
It's a simple story, but it's one that's told in such a way that you find yourself floating from scene to scene much like the titular balloon. That effect comes from a few different places. First, there's the staging. This is a play sans dialogue, and the cast of 18 actors and dancers gets to exercise fully their sense of timing. Standouts include Zeb L. West as the masked elderly gentleman, Jeanne Harris as the teacher, and Kelli Bland, who might just be the cutest, angriest little hoodlum this side of the Mississippi.
Next, there's the music, scored by Justin Sherburn and brought to life by an eightpiece orchestra. With no spoken language in this show, the music sets the rhythm and mood for the actors, and it, too, soothes rather than blasts. The music rescues what might otherwise be the occasional corny moment, keeping the whole show within the realm of exploration and play.
The animation is what makes the show. Designed by Leah Sharpe, the graphics are clever, easy on the eye, and thoroughly theatrical. Like the costumes, they are in muted tones, and while it's only the balloons (yes, red balloon gets a girlfriend) whose colors grab the eye, the animations are the friendly backdrop to a kindly show.
Director David Yeakle's staging looks to meld physical performance with the visual effects, which requires great coordination from the entire cast and technical crew. Opening night saw a handful of flubs and fumbles, as if the company were only just then settling into the play's rhythm. Perhaps a few choices were overambitious, but this is a play that requires bravery, and the creative team has given their all. The Red Balloon ends after barely an hour, leaving in its place a pleasant feeling, like something dark and heavy has been lifted up and carried far, far away.