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Anchorage Press, RJ JOHNSON

I laughed so hard that my face was hurting!


DON QUIXOTES BY GLYKA STOIOU OPENS AT CYRANO'S IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

The story of Don Quixote is not a new one, and performing it on stage has been done many times before, but in Don Quixotes by Glyka Stoiou, presented by Cyrano's Theatre Company, the story comes alive in an entirely new way. This fantastic piece of International Theatre had it's beginnings in Crete, has toured theatres, museums, schools, Seattle, Luxembourg, has been performed hundreds of times, and now it has found it's way to Anchorage, Alaska for one weekend only.

The unbelievable adventures of Don Quixote are told by two scamps, who take the audience on a trip to 16th century Spain and play almost all the roles in an interactive show that is an explosion of energy and reminds us of a hero who gives courage to those who wish to change the world for the better.

There is no way to describe this production without using the word clever. When you have a production that is traveling around the world, relying on a complicated set would be foolish, so there simply isn't a set. There is heavy use of props and costumes but they all fit into a bag for each of the main performers.

The thing is, the show does not require much to be as fascinating and hilarious as it is. The performers are so engaging and perform with such high energy that they create worlds around the audience, and invite them to explore alongside them.

Glyka Stoiou is not only the writer and director of the show, but also one of the two main performers, the other being Angeliki Karakaxidou. These actresses are accompanied by Patrick Knappich as the drummer, who is also a very important part of some of the most hilarious and iconic scenes in the show. Stoiou plays Don Quixote, Dulcinea, and a butterfly, while Karakaxidou takes on the roles of Sancho Panza, Rocinante, and a bird. The final performer in this comedic adventure is the audience. These characters will be addressing those viewing directly, and they expect you to answer back. There are even moments when the audience may find itself on stage helping the story along, but do not fear, if you are timid you are allowed to decline. I will say though, as an audience member that was stage for a major portion, you will have more fun if you just go with it.

The costuming reminded me of a modern take on Commedia dell' arte. Make-up is used sparingly, which is perfect because the expressive faces of the actors do not need much help. Costume changes happen on stage, and again are just enough to enhance the scene, and still let the imagination of those watching take care of the rest.

Stoiou wrote Don Quixotes in 2013 and within a year was presenting it in Luxembourg, while touring Greece. In 2015 she received an e-mail letting her know that it had been accepted for inclusion at the Play Lab for the Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez. In 2016 it was produced at the Pocket Theatre in Seattle. Now the cast has traveled from Rome, Athens, and Frankfurt to perform in Anchorage. Next they want to take it to Rome and the big dream is to perform in China. Goals that could almost be called quixotic, but that are absolutely achievable.

I have a confession to make. Beyond some minor knowledge of windmills being giants in the heroes mind an a never-ending quest to be a knight, I didn't know much about the novel before attending the show. None of that mattered once the performers were on stage. I followed along with the story perfectly, and laughed so hard that I realized my face was hurting when they had taken the final of their six bows. When I left I was excited to start reading the stories that had inspired this show, and I was even more excited about the possibility of what theatre can be. Each performance will be unique for each audience that sees and participates in it, but I am sure that each one will be as fantastic as what I was able to experience.

Originally published on ANCHORAGE PRESS June 21-June 27, 2018

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