Playwright: Bonnie Shadrake ( music, lyrics ) , Jack Bronis ( book, lyrics )
At: The Noble Fool, 16 W. Randolph
Phone: ( 312 ) 726-1156; $35-$39
Runs through: March 22
I suspect Vikings! A Musical in Two Axe, didn't start out the way it finished up. What began—and is how the show begins—as a parody of Norse-Teutonic mythology and Hollywood sword movies, ended up—and this is how the show ends—as an anti-war musical. It's a pertinent message reflecting the headlines, but also a curious journey with little plot connecting the dots.
The minimal plot places a Viking crew—lost in a time warp—on a modern fjord cruise ship. They embrace TV as an oracle, repeatedly argue over confused myth sagas, and plan to kill the gods ( although they don't know how one kills immortals ) . At every turn, the gods and the Viking women ( who also show up ) warn them to forswear violence and war. But like the old Steve Martin skits, they always say 'Naaaaaah.' Unable to control the testosterone-driven juggernaut of their own inside-the-box thinking, they lose their women and then their lives as they battle the gods Odin and Loki ( amusingly portrayed by squirrel and rabbit puppets ) .
Cleverly directed by Linda Gillum, and played with comically earnest straight-forwardness ( and strong singing voices ) by a cast of 12, Vikings! provides much inspired silliness that emerges more from the physical production than from the words. But there are many missed opportunities. For example, aside from the TV bit, there is almost no interface between the Vikings and the modern ship and crew. And the Viking character types carefully established in Axe I—the storyteller, or the man who talks to the gods—are defused in Axe II without ever fulfilling the expectations set up for them. The only fulfilled character is the closeted Viking, Bolverk the Masculine ( played by Gary Alexander ) , 'so much a man that he has no need of women.' Bolvert's Axe II coming out love song is one of several touching tunes.
Indeed, the lively and often lovely score by Bonnie Shadrake ( lyrics by Shadrake and Jack Bronis ) is better than Bronis' book. Incorporating pop musical styles, anthems and several engaging love songs, the 19 tunes really elevate the show. 'The Sea' is charming; 'Home' is a manly choral ode; 'In Dreams' and 'Halvdan' and 'Goddess and Man' have pretty melodies; 'The Jarl' offers a touch of Sondheim. The score benefits from Shadrake's musical direction and tasteful arrangements.
Praise also goes to Gillum's ingenious design team: Gene Friedman ( scenic, costumes ) , Andrew Meyers ( lighting ) , Joseph Fosco ( sound ) , Mary-Margaret Mitchell ( props ) and Kimberly Morris ( Hair Make-Up ) . They've found visually clever ways to utilize every inch of the tiny Noble Fool stage and squeeze wit into every costume.
Long on riffs and tunes but short on story, Vikings! is surprising—if somewhat repetitive—agit-prop.
----------------------------------------
See the front page, left side directory of www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com for comprehensive listings of theater openings and productions now on stage
