REVIEW: World Premiere of THE SHIP AND THE SEA Via Curious Theatre Branch at Facility Theatre September 6 - 29

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Curious Theatre Branch presents the World Premiere of 

THE SHIP AND THE SEA

at Facility Theatre September 6 - 29 

Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows we were particularly interested in catching this show since we've all been to Sweden and seen the actual Vasa ship in person!

GUEST REVIEW

By Dugan Kenaz-Mara

The Ship and The Sea expertly blends beauty and tragedy into a delightful little performance. In this show, we follow the Swedish Vasa ship, the Sea, and two captains (one rightful, one involuntary) as they finish the ship’s construction and embark on her maiden voyage. This performance was masterful in developing a sense of slow but gentle impending doom. The sea understands that it will swallow the ship and the captains recognize that it is not safe, but everyone acknowledges that it must be launched. Luckily, it was gentle enough not to leave anyone sobbing like other tragedies might. 

The cast of THE SHIP AND THE SEA. Photo by Chris Bower

In The Ship and The Sea, there is not a ton of plot, but luckily it doesn’t need it. There aren’t any big flashy moments or dramatic reveals, but instead, the story is presented through a multitude of monologues and deep conversations. This slower pacing lets the audience sit with each moment and reflect on it as it happens. We are really given the time to get to know each character and learn what motivates them, how they feel about themselves, the other characters, and the situation they find themselves in. 

(L to R)  Andrew Schoen, Vicki Walden and  Kristy Lockhart. Photo by Chris Bower

(L to R) Kristy Lockhart and Andrew Schoen. Photo by Chris Bower

Some things we appreciated about the performance were the characters, the music, and the tone. All of the characters were well thought out and established. We especially liked the childlike naiveté of the ship and how she grew throughout the show. It was also neat to watch the characters during non-speaking moments, as both of the inanimate characters were on stage the entire time. The musical interludes were beautiful and gave the perfect quick neat transition between scenes. I also adore the sound of a piano paired with a banjo or ukelele, and can always appreciate the humor that comes with playing a kazoo. And finally, the performers gracefully weave humor into many of their touching moments. Despite portraying a tragedy the audience was given the time to laugh and have fun. 

Dugan Kenaz-Mara is a designer, photographer, educator, and graduate of Northwestern University's theatre program.

(L to R)  Andrew Schoen, Vicki Walden and  Kristy Lockhart. Photo by Chris Bower

Curious Theatre Branch, is proud to present the world premiere of The Ship and The Sea, written and directed by Chris Bower, September 6 - 29, at Facility Theatre, 1138 N. California Ave. Opening night is Friday, Sept. 6 at 8 p.m. The regular performance schedule is Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. Tickets for The Ship and The Sea can be found at CuriousTheatreBranch.com. Tickets are priced on a “pay what you can” scale, with a suggested price of $20. 

Chris Bower’s The Ship and The Sea reimagines the infamous sinking of the 17th- century Swedish warship Vasa moments after it set sail on its maiden voyage and less than 1500 yards from its port.The story is told from the perspective of the ship, too big, beautiful, and young to fail, the sea, unable to relate to any of the creatures that live and die in her body and two sailors struggling to make sense of their own short lives. Funny and profound, the play echoes our current moment of hubris and dismay. 

The cast of The Ship and The Sea includes Lola Zimmerman (she/her, The Ship); Vicki Walden (she/her, The Sea); Kristy Lockhart (she/her, Captain Gamel); Andrew Schoen (he/him, Ordinary Seaman Ny); Paul Brennan (he/him, Ghost Narrator #1) and Lena Brun (she/her/they/them, Ghost Narrator #2).

The production team includes Chris Bower (he/him, writer/director); Charlotte Lastra (she/her, asst. director/stage manager); Jayita Bhattacharya (she/her, movement specialist); Vicki Walden (she/her, music); Matt Test (he/him, sound/music); Lena Brun (she/her/they/them, sound/music) and Paul Brennan (sound/music).

(L to R) Andrew Schoen, and Kristy Lockhart. Photo by Chris Bower

ABOUT CHRIS BOWER,  PLAYWRIGHT AND DIRECTOR

Chris Bower is a teacher, playwright and the author of the short story collection “Little Boy Needs Ride” (Curbside Splendor)  and the novella “The Family Dogs,” which was part of the “My Very End of the Universe” novella collection published by Rose Metal Press. He is also the curator and host of The Ray’s Tap Reading Series and his work has been featured at pretty much every Rhinoceros Theater Festival since 2005. Past plays include Siberian Mouth (Bruised Orange), Mascot (Found Objects), Birthday Boy (Curious Theatre Branch) and his imaginary Logan Square fine-dining series Cafe Neckbeard, which featured at Rhino Fests 2018-2022. He is a proud ensemble member of Curious Theatre Branch. 

ABOUT CURIOUS THEATRE BRANCH

Curious Theatre Branch is dedicated to the creation of new plays and performances and to the production of the annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival. Curious aims to promote innovative works of the imagination in the performing arts from a broad and inclusive spectrum of artists and are also devoted to mentoring programs that engage emerging artists as a way to enrich and expand our artistic community.  We are committed to creating and producing new plays and performances in a collaborative manner, encouraging our members as artists to share decision making and responsibilities, while expanding their skills as writers, actors, designers, directors, and arts administrators.  Curious also is committed to the idea that a pay what you can pricing policy is sustainable and will suffice over the long term as an economic model.

Curious Theatre Branch, is proud to present the world premiere of The Ship and The Sea, written and directed by Chris Bower, September 6 - 29, at Facility Theatre, 1138 N. California Ave. The regular performance schedule is Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. Tickets for The Ship and The Sea are at CuriousTheatreBranch.com. Tickets are priced on a “pay what you can” scale, with a suggested price of $20.