GAMES WE PLAY AT HEAVEN'S CAFE'

5/27/03

It's been a long time since a writer and director have teamed up and delivered such a unique and compelling vision in the theater arts. I'm talking rock opera here, the once popular genre that graced the stages of rock concerts and theater halls of yesteryear in abundance. The often difficult format of rockish musical theater is once again being explored, this time in Southern California by the Insurgo Theater Movement with local director John Beane at the helm.

Unlike other similar explorations such as "Rent", "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Hair" and "Tommy" that deal with historical or trendy concepts, Miner's rock opera tackles a much loftier vision, that of the human souls journey into the afterlife backed by a soundtrack that may leave you plastered to your theater chair for eternity! First staged in Las Vegas and now making it's California debut, Miner shows he is not one to follow easy conventions, and director Beane is clearly having fun with this open to your interpretation psychedelic masterpiece which has received much critical acclaim around the world in the last few years as a progressive rock underground cult classic. I can see why.

While it would be tempting to try to nail down the story of Lark who in his past life was the decadent "Classical Man", guided by his guardian angel then poked along by his alter ego Kral (Lark spelled backwards the opera's comic relief) I'll pass on doing so. I suspect the creator is more interested in the journey of the audience rather than the superficial story line. There is much to chew on for the "over the top" intellectual and hints of more heady prophetic messages if one chooses to look beyond the obvious. I suspect both Miner and Beane have done their metaphysical homework to the 9th degree. The director offers up a magic carpet ride that takes you far away from the comforts and constraints of our everyday lives. After watching Heavens Cafe', I got the feeling I was on one of those virtual reality rides that would twist and turn, never knowing what might lie around the corner. Putting this all together in a live theater format makes for one fun hour and a half of mind blowing rock and roll cosmic mayhem!

Now as far as the music itself goes, most anyone who has heard Heavens Cafe' Live should attest that this
is one of the best live albums heard in recent memory. Miner's band Art Rock Circus delivers the goods with newcomers Nolan Stolz on drums and Ken Jaquess on bass. The trio are masters of their genre without doubt. And one would assume that the presence of Miner playing it live at Insurgo is credit to his dedication and commitment to the project. Stolz and Jaquess back his psychedelic guitar landscapes pefectly.

This incarnation of the cast is rich in talent. Ed Bassanger grabs the spotlight with full conviction as "Classical Man" and his counterpart Kral played by Russ Marchand probably steals the show with his clownish humor in abundance. Heather Shough cast as Robin assumes the laid back love child with ease although one senses it might not be a huge stretch from her real life character. Being familiar with the CD before viewing it onstage, I was most impressed by Darcy Hogan's recreation of the Guardian Angel who takes the most compelling vocal number in the show. She rocks it good! If you like something different on the menu than the usual fanfare, you can't go wrong with a visit to Insurgo
Theater movements take on this epic rock opera called Heaven's Cafe'.

Highly recommended ****
Artfish

for information, directions and show dates visit:
Insurgotheater.com