Catalyst Repertory Theatre, known for its intrepid and tenacious spirit has never shied away from producing challenging material and its production of the “Starmites” now playing at IndyFringe Basile Theatre is no exception. Unfortunately, sometimes there are risks that come with being adventurous and nowhere was that more apparent than the performance of “Starmites” I saw Sunday at IndyFringe Basile Theatre.
Barry Keating wrote the music and lyrics for quirky “Starmites” and co-wrote the book with Suart Ross. The musical was first Off-Off Broadway in 1980. In 1987 it ran for 60 performances on Broadway, after which it received six Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical. A charming story, reminiscent of “The Wizard of Oz,” it follows the adventures of a sweet, bashful teenage girl Eleanor. who has a passion for comic books she collects. Through them she inhabits a fantasy world she has created to escape into so she can be with the Starmites, the guardians of innerspace and the superheroes she idolizes.
As far as the production itself, there were technical problems that served as distractions, and shifted my attention away from the story. But first, allow me to address the many positives. Those things Ross, a superb director, could control were solidly executed and managed. The talented cast she chose included three who stood out. All strong actor-singers they included Jaelynn Keating as guileless heroine Elianor Fairchild, Joseph Massingale who played Spacepunk, the teen’s adorable love interest and noted Indy character actor Paul Hansen who played the vile malefactor Shak Graa.
Turning in exceptional vocal performances were those who played the warrior-like Banshees, consisting of Damaris Burgin as Diva, Addison Koehler as Shotzi, Yolanda Valdivia as Balbraka, Jessica Hawkins as Maligna and Brant Hughes as Banshee Boy.
Interpreting Keating’s catchy and appealing rock and roll score was a first-rate band led by music director and pianist Billly Scharfenberger who played alongside Caleb Hamilton guitar, Graham Bethal on drums and Travis Zinch on bass.
Though the show’s production values reflected a lack of resources, the creative team deserves praise for its contributions which made up for shortcomings. They included conceptual designer Ross, Cheryl Harmon who designed the clever, fanciful costumes, Andrew Darr, who designed the show’s minimal, yet functional set and Tim Hunt whose lighting design was nothing short of spectacular. Timothy Taylor who designed a puppet lizard deserves plaudits for his ingenious creation, as does Hansen who skillfully voiced and operated it.
Prior to the performance, and upon arrival to the venue, other attendees were not permitted to enter the Basile because of “technical issues” that were being addressed. Instead, we were asked to gather and wait inside the Indy Eleven Theatre until the curtain came up late. It was a first in my 45 years of reviewing and, unfortunately a telling omen of more mishaps to come.
Later, during the show, my sympathies were with colleague Ross, self-proclaimed perfectionist, who designed the show’s sound and projections. A malfunction of the sound system resulted in annoying, if not oppressive feedback throughout the entire three-hour long performance. Inferior equipment was also the source of glitches in the screening of beautiful video images created by multi-talented Ross. Magic Thread Cabaret experienced identical sound issues that plagued its IndyFringe “Broadway’s Bad Girls” IndyFringe Festival hit run in August, causing disappointment and frustration for the company that nearly ruined a mostly positive experience.
Perhaps by now the show’s tech problems have been resolved. If not, hopefully Fringe management will expeditiously repair, upgrade or replace the equipment in question for the sake of the artists, many with limited resources, they serve — all of whom depend on the organization to present their artistic product faithfully, if not professionally.
Despite the unfortunate technical flaws caused by circumstances beyond Catalyst’s control, “Starmites,” with its gentle humor and timeless messages of good vs. evil and love conquers all, conveyed by a company of sincere, committed, avocational performers, is well worth seeing for its wit, charm and pure entertainment value.
For information and to purchase tickets to “Starmites” which runs through Oct. 14 visit IndyFringe.org.
