In blending the tales of the Brothers Grimm with a cabaret context, the resulting punk-rock fairy tale means to be bold, experimental and hilarious. "Le Cabaret Grimm" also breaks from traditional theater narrative by opening with the "HUBbub," a series of extraordinary and unconventional performances.
"Le Cabaret Grimm" is the inaugural production of The Performance Lab, a new theater company founded by Jason Slavick. The production is also written and directed by Slavick, who, along with his fellow collaborators, hopes to broaden and redefine the boundaries of Boston's theater scene.
Right from the start, The Performance Lab proves its dedication to revealing a new, exciting theater scene — one that is already underway, but not entirely well known. The entire first act of the show, the "HUBbub," is an unprecedented and completely separate performance from "Le Cabaret Grimm" and stands more as a precursor to the fictional cabaret than as a part of it.
The "HUBbub" is comprised of different acts from underground Boston artists and is a part of The Performance Lab's mission to draw attention to Boston's alternative art scene. Each week, the "HUBbub" highlights a different set of performances hosted by the gender-bending performance artist Johnny Blazes. Since the opening acts change from week to week, audiences have the option of returning to the theater for another performance — and a completely different experience.
For the first weekend, from April 8 to 10, guest performers included Walter Sickert & the ARmy of BRoken TOys, jojo The Burlesque Poetess and Madge of Honor. While this weekend's "HUBbub" was a fun, intriguing glimpse at alternative theater, it was a mix of highs and lows and was outshone by the following "Le Cabaret Grimm."
The Burlesque Poetess was the best contribution to the "HUBbub." With her quick wit and expert manipulation of words, she was a constant surprise of entertainment (as was her tendency to flash the audience). While slightly inconsistent in quality — due in part to the show's nature — the brilliance of the "HUBbub" is that it is unpredictable and a more personal theater experience. More like a cabaret than "Le Cabaret Grimm," the "HUBbub" is bound to shock and deliver the unexpected.
After intermission, "Le Cabaret Grimm" finally begins with the lovely hostess and chanteuse Veronique du Blahblahblah (Haley Selmon) emerging from her dressing room and taking over from guest host Johnny Blazes.
Veronique du Blahblahblah leads the audience through a cabaret-style reinterpretation of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales (sans fairies) and covers all the basics: an evil sorceress, a cursed prince, a beautiful princess and all the trials and tribulations along the way. While the entire cast is captivating, Selmon is particularly seductive and clever, dismissing her fellow cast members while simultaneously moved by their stories.
That is not to say that the other actors are less enchanting or talented; the entire cast pulls off strong performances despite being comparatively young. Most of the cast members are current undergraduates at the Boston Conservatory or recent graduates and new to the Boston theater scene.
The production incorporates puppets as part of the costuming, creating visuals that include a pair of bickering conjoined twins, a complex dragon that battles the prince and a lion's head for the enchanted prince. Combining the puppets with the rest of the dramatic performance introduces a different medium to the show, expounding the already blurry theatrical boundaries.
The most beautiful costume is also one of the simplest. The lilting, leaping lark (Rachel Bertone) wears brightly colored feathers on her arms and is otherwise dressed in all black. Bertone's dancing is similarly lovely and mesmerizing, as she easily flits across the stage — a symbol of desire, beauty and grace.
The production truly shines in its humorous moments. In her role as a slam poet and lonely moon, Ally Tully's over-the-top rendition creates a hilarious scene in an already ridiculous situation. In another equally absurd but uproarious moment, the evil sorceress's dressmaker (Nick Peciaro) involves the entire audience in singing along with him against the b---hes in the world.
For something fresh — and one of the funniest shows happening this season — check out "Le Cabaret Grimm" at the Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Theatre. The show runs until April 24 and tickets are $20 and up.
