In case you haven’t noticed, there’s been some pretty amazing theater from Baltimore artists and companies taking place at Theatre Project this season. In just the first few months of 2013, Theatre Project has played host to the Generous Company, In-Flight Theater, Vincent Thomas, Iron Crow Theatre Company, DNA Aerial Theater, among others.
For their latest production, Theatre Project welcomes New York based Parallel Exit, who will present their show Room 17B. The production is the latest collaboration between Theatre Project and Quest Visual Theatre. A previous collaboration between Quest Visual Theatre and Theatre Project brought Spanish troupe Kulunka Teatro to Baltimore, which was breathtaking in its simple yet stunningly perfect storytelling.
If this last show was any indication of the caliber of work we are set to experience this weekend at Theatre Project, Room 17B will be a unique theatrical experience filled with comedy, fun, and universal appeal. The show has not only played to sold-out audiences in New York City, but also has also toured throughout the United States and Europe. It features an ensemble of four, blending physical comedy, dance, live music, and audience participation, to create scenarios that summons the familiar office environment, with just the right touch of surreal absurdity.
The company finds inspiration in films of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin and strives to create moments of simple magic. What more could one ask for, really? Along with the reviews of the show, which include “65 minutes of outlandish incongruity … charming … amusing … perfect,” “an anthology of clown haikus” and “65 minutes of pure fun,” I had to admit I was rather intrigued.
I was fortunate to catch up with Artistic Director of Parallel Exit, Mark Lonergan, to talk about the show and what audiences can expect to experience.
“Think The Office meets Buster Keaton,” he says. “The audience can expect a very funny show about four office workers in a corporate funhouse. We often use this phrase: ‘Welcome to the chaotic office of Room 17B, where filing cabinets hold something stranger than paperwork.’ The show blends physical comedy, dance, magic, and a live original score into a series of short, sharp scenes that point out the absurdity of working in an office.”
I asked Longeran to define “Visual Theater,” which he quickly responded by saying that “visual theater is any form of theatre in which the characters, story, and emotions are expressed primarily through physical and visual means. Most theatre conveys these elements through dialogue, whereas visual theatre communicates through images and physicality created by the performers. While visual theatre is a specialized form, it can be very inviting and welcoming to audiences of all ages and backgrounds – this is what Parallel Exit aspires to achieve in all of our productions.”
Producing Director of Theatre Project, Chris Pfingsten, could not be more thrilled to be hosting Parallel Exit this weekend, as well as continuing the collaboration with Quest. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Quest Visual Theatre to present Room 17B,” he says. “The show is fun, quirky, original, and appropriate for everyone. It’s perfect! Theatre Project has always been known as a place where you can come and see something new and different.”
Despite a season which has featured many Baltimore artists, Theatre Project remains committed to showcasing talent from around the US and the world. Pfingsten continues, “Bringing in artists from outside of Baltimore: folks that may have a different focus, sensibility, or aesthetic to their work has been a hallmark of who we are and what we do. We haven’t been able to do as much of that in the last couple of seasons, partially due to the economics involved, and (this is a good thing) there has been a need to provide a growing community of local artists with a place where they can create and perform. We are more than happy to be able to present local groups. But as the economic situation improves, and especially when we can find partners like Quest, we will be looking to once again, bring in more artists from all over the country and internationally as well.”
Room 17B opens tomorrow (May 10th) with one show at 8PM. There are two chances to catch the action on Saturday (May 11th) at 11AM and 8PM , and on Sunday (May 12th) at 3PM. You can find more information and purchase tickets here.
I will be there. Will you?
