Tom Klunzinger offered a first-weekend review of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo at Peppermint Creek  — and now Mark and I have finally seen it and agree that, "It's a very dark, almost nihilistic work about the effects of killing (not just war) on those who survive." It invites us into the consciousness of ghosts, as they haunt the survivors. It wrings out the audience and actors and asks more questions than it answers. It is a depressing but fascinating search for meaning and/or God, in the literal and figurative fog of war. (Great, subtle smoky effect, creepy cage/rock/topiary garden set - Daniel Huston)

All the leads are excellent, from the philosophical predator tiger (Jeff Boerger) to the manic, over-the-edge Kev (Andrew Bailiff) the troubled and twisted Tom (Michael Banghart) and the tortured Musa (Brennan Hattaway) whose strained loyalties and impossible situations evoked both sympathy and horror. Todd Heywood was outstandingly creepy as Uday Hussein and even made some frightening sense. Sumar Marie, Ricardo Medrano and Cassie LIttle were fine in their supporting roles as various Iraqis.

The show was much enhanced by sound (Frank Malusek, David Michael Cooper, Zuwaib Razzaq, Jeff Boerger) and costumes - with realistic accessory blood - (Chanae Houska is probably doing as much laundry as sewing — and I'm told that Ray Kurtis is the master chef of washable blood.)

Not for the faint of heart, due to violence and adult language, and general despair, it is a powerful and timely drama that director Michael Hays can be very proud of. 
Continues one more weekend: 8 p.m.  Saturday, Sept. 27; 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28 $16/$11 students & seniors Miller Performing Arts Center 6025 Curry Lane, Lansing (517) 372-0945, peppermintcreek.org

Thanks to Tom Klunzinger for this Guest Review; I won't be able to see this show until next Thursday, due to Young Frankenstein. Jane

The curiously metaphysical Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo might better be titled Ghosts of Baghdad or The Man with the Golden Gun since what plot there is involves the latter. And this, although beautifully written, is a difficult play to like simply because there is nobody to root for in this story about the U.S. presence in and around Baghdad some 11 years ago. It's a very dark, almost nihilistic work about the effects of killing (not just war) on those who survive. 
If you can get past that, you'll enjoy the excellent, professional-quality performances from a truly ensemble cast, with the standouts being (due to the demands of their characters) Andrew Bailiff and Brennan Hattaway, complemented by Jeff Boerger, Michael Banghart and Todd Heywood as a spectacularly depraved Uday Hussein. The multipurpose set (with topiary!) is excellent as well. Director Michael Hays can indeed be proud of this production which is well worth the trip to Peppermint Creek.

(CAUTION: There is lots of Bad Language, with strobe lights and gunfire. And much of the dialogue is in Iraqi. If those things bother you, stay away.)
TEK   

Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
by Rajiv Joseph 
directed by Michael Hays
Sept 18 - 21 & 25 - 28, 2014
Thursday - Saturday @ 8pm, Sunday @ 2pmwww.peppermintcreek.org

Peppermint Creek has once again fulfilled their mission "to produce contemporary theatre that addresses vital issues in our society, raises awareness, and encourages dialogue while entertaining." Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris is a response to Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, and paints a funny, multi-layered portrait of people's prejudices and their effect on neighborhoods. In 1959, nervous neighbors lobby to keep the blacks out. Fifty years later, blacks resist gentrification of their neighborhood. The set design by Bart Bauer and Jeff Boerger cleverly allowed "urban decay" to set in over the course of intermission.

There was excellent acting by the entire cast. We felt like we were eavesdropping on real people, with all the (very challenging to memorize) overlapping arguments and believable characters. Sad that this is Jack Dowd's last show in Lansing before he and Emma move to the Portland Oregon area. His impressive stage presence will be sorely missed.Heather Lewis, Joe Dickson, Shannon Bowen and Scott Laban also shone in their double roles. Jenise Cook and Jerry Parker embodied the change in African American roles over the half century, and Devin Faught added a poignant note in his small role. Director Blake Bowen can be rightly proud of this cast.

Since I was "at the convent" last weekend in Nunsense, I saw this show a little late. Only ONE MORE SHOW, tomorrow, Saturday night at 8. Head south to Peppermint Creek for a thought-provoking evening of fine acting.
www.peppermintcreek.org

TRIBES could be be short for "diatribes" because that's what it largely consists of, especially in the first act. Of course, it's also about the "tribes" we split ourselves into, looking for self-worth and a sense of identity.

Like all Peppermint Creek shows, this one is well done and gives us plenty to think about. The script by Nina Raine did a great job of demonstrating the ways we fail to communicate, and then tied it up a little bit abruptly at the end with the "bow" of "love" — which is, of course, the underlying quest, the unexpressed.... the family we belong to in spite of ourselves.

Deb Keller directed a fine cast — and it was refreshing to see Peppermint's Artistic Director Chad Badgero on stage for a change embodying the challenging role of troubled brother, Daniel, suffering under overbearing dad's (Michael Hays) criticism and struggling to express himself and connect with his brother. Devin Faught was the heart of the play as the deaf brother, Billy, being introduced to sign language and the deaf "tribe" by the charming yet conflicted Sylvia (Megan Malusek) who has deaf parents and is going deaf, herself. Crysta Harper is the angst-ridden sister, Ruth, failing to find her voice as a singer, and Jackie Payne is the also-criticized novelist Mom, trying in vain to make the family "play nice" as they punch each other with words.

The set was beautiful and homey (Jeff Boerger) A couple scenes took place "elsewhere" which was a tad confusing, but they were set off by lighting, so we figured it out. Many scenes had sur-titles projected on the wall, translating sign language, and occasionally translating what people were thinking, but not saying. The music was divergent and evocative, from classical to Janis Joplin.

NOTE that the Friday, April 4 performance will be sign language interpreted.Tribes continues through April 5 at the Miller Performing Arts Center, 6025 Curry Lane, Lansing, MI 48911(off Miller Road, west of the Miller/South Cedar intersection) 8 pm Thur/Fri/Sat and Sunday March 30 only at 2.$15/ $10 student/seniorwww.peppermintcreek.org