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Prenzies unleash daring ‘Dream’

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By David Burke | Wednesday, May 14, 2008 11:36 AM CDT | () comments

The theme of the last two Prenzie Players productions seems to be “Let’s see what we can pull over on Eddie Staver III this time.”

In March, the subplot of “The Taming of the Shrew” was to convince Staver’s supporting character that he was a nobleman for whom they were performing.

This time it’s the much darker (literally and figuratively) and much more dramatic “Life’s a Dream,” Pedro Calderon’s 17th century play that has Staver in the middle of a ruse.

Because his father (Tracy Skaggs), the king, has read in the stars his son will overthrow him and become a tyrant, Staver’s Sigismund has been kept a prisoner in a tower since birth.

A traveler (Maggie Woolley) and her servant (Jeff De Leon, here the main comic relief) happen upon the prince.

Meanwhile, the king’s nephew (Andy Koski) and niece (Kristin Skaggs) become engaged, ensuring a successor to the throne.

The lead roles are well-cast and well-performed — kudos as well to Jeremy Mahr, as the chamberlain, as well as the rest of the cast, many of whom have lengthy stage time with little or no dialogue.

Staver’s Sigismund transforms during “Dream,” from naked (again, literally and figuratively) fear as a prisoner to the triumph of taking the throne and living up to the tyrannical expectations.

Yes, Staver wears nothing but chains in the first 10 minutes of “Dream,” one of several ways that Prenzie is yet again breaking the mold in Quad-City theater.

The drama takes place in the third floor of the former Masonic Center in Rock Island, a very bizarrely designed area that includes steep, unexplainable ramps and an ornate grand hall.

Sigismund’s imprisonment and discovery occurs in what was a backstage area, lit by blue lights and very claustrophobic, even for the 50-or-so audience members who can fit in.

Through a natural progression in the dialogue — cast members stay in character from the minute you pay for your ticket and are told “Welcome to Poland!” — audience members are moved into the brightly lit grand hall of the building.

The audience moves back and forth two more times, and what could have been a logistical train wreck makes for a natural progression in the story. The running time is listed in the program as two hours and 20 minutes, but ran 2 1/2 hours on opening night — a little judicious editing might have tightened the show up a bit.

Director J.C. Luxton keeps everyone in character during the two intermissions as well, with dialogue taking place in the stairwell and other places.

In arts terms, “Dream” takes place in found space, and the Prenzies found some very bizarre spaces to use. It could be the farewell for the players to the building — they are almost certain to join in with other companies at the newly named Village Theatre in the Village of East Davenport.

There may come a time when the Prenzie Players push the envelope too far, when the bizarre notions, performance types and ideas are too much for the audience to handle.

But that hasn’t happened yet.

David Burke can be contacted at (563) 383-2400 or dburke@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.

IF YOU GO

What: “Life’s a Dream” by Prenzie Players

When: 8 p.m. today through Sunday, May 18

Where: Masonic Temple, 420 18th St., Rock Island

How much: $8

Information: PrenziePlayers.com