Running through Nov. 15 at Petaluma’s Mercury Theater, The Black Rider is the avant garde kind of musical that seems too obscure to mess with.
Mercury and director Doyle Ott have taken their time and care with this surreal story, giving it the proper respect that true art deserves.
A collaboration between local hermit icon Tom Waits, experimental theater luminary Robert Wilson and influential Beat Generation author William S. Burroughs, the story sweeps one away to a fairy-tale land full of atmosphere, danger and just straight weirdness. It’s an accomplishment all around, from the sensational and bold costumes by Teresa Kopaz, to the inventively used set pieces by Wayne Harvey and the breathtakingly gorgeous projections and lighting design by Peter Q. Parish.
The band, under the direction of Jared Emerson-Johnson, lends greatly to the dripping atmosphere and creates the perfect immersion into a haunted forest where Fate awaits.
Doll-like Käthchen (a haunting Rhian Moon, who spends most of her stage time singing in reclining positions or doing an insane Betty Boop homage) wants to marry hunky clerk Wilhelm (Sergio Diaz, giving Charlie Chaplin a run for his money), but her father (Dwayne Stincelli) insists she marry according to family tradition, i.e., a hunter, Robert (AJ Correia). To prove himself, Wilhelm decides to hunt in ye olde haunted forest and finds himself entranced, then deceived, by the playfully unnerving Pegleg.
Molly Larsen-Shine as Pegleg (that’s Satan to you, buster), is the reason I became an actor. Her seduction, commitment and gleeful embodiment of the ultimate trickster is the kind of work that every actor aspires to and that Larsen-Shine makes look so easy. Her voice is as pure as newly fallen snow, while her gyrations are absolutely not. It’s a beautiful accomplishment for one of the North Bay’s finest character actors.
Supporting performers Lisa Flato and Joshua Norwitt also give memorable characterizations full of physical nuance and well-crafted comedy. Sierra Reid rounds out the ensemble with yet more fine character work and some very dynamic choreography.
With its music and lyrics operating on their own wavelengths and a story that is part nightmare fever dream, part raucous acid trip and part Spaghetti Western, Mercury Theater’s The Black Rider is one of the most intriguing and engaging productions seen in this area in a while.
It’s a production achievement that will be hard to top.
Mercury Theater presents ‘The Black Rider’ through Nov. 15 at 3333 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. Thur–Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. $20–$35. 707.658.9019. mercurytheater.org.
