If you're looking for an immersive theater experience, consider the new production from the Maynard Park Neighborhood Players. Opening next Tuesday, it's "Eyes Wide Shut: The Musical." The enigmatic Kubrick film gets a retooling with a little bit of mystery, a bit more dazzle, a double dash of comedy, and way more music.
The musical play is the disturbed brainchild of Kyle Eggebraaten (Norwegian TV's "Bob" from the hit series, "I Remember Bob.") While he was inspired by the film, the play is more of a jumping off point. "I wanted to add greater symbolic elements than what one can do in film," said Kyle backstage. "I also want it to be an in-your-face theater experience for the audience. You don't come to my play and expect to be left alone." In fact, the audience participation is so invasive that the production will be requiring that all attendees sign a limited power-of-attorney for the duration of the performance. "No one will be electrocuted," promises Kyle.
Those familiar with the film may strain to draw direct correlations, and the constant presence of a character named "Mr. Buzzard" (a 10 foot tall bird with a top hat and cane), further distracts from the foundational narrative of the story. At other times, audiences will find themselves firmly back in Kubrick territory, particularly during the "big Mansion scene" which painstakingly recreates the film's centerpiece ritual.
The songs are bouncy, and complimented by the Fidelio dancers. The rehearsal performance we witnessed ran 3 hours and 45 minutes, but Kyle expects to trim it by "6 to 7 minutes" before curtain time next week.
