By Holli Harms
Combustible compositions. Stories told in 2 to 3 minutes or less. Moments of life that are just that, moments. And we go back to those moments again and again. Hands that become butterflies and beards and more.
All of this in 90 minutes of torrential storytelling, quiet story telling, heartbreaking, truthful storytelling where a simple gesture speaks volumes more than words.
That is Broken Box Mime Theater’s (BKBX) production of SKIN.
BKBX is a company that combines theater, dance and mime to bring art that lights up the stage and your heart.
There are 15 scenes/brief vignettes interspersed throughout the evening. Scenes with titles like: “Would You Put a Hat on a Ball of Sunshine? Naw, Cuz It’s Too Damn Hot,” “The 16th Annual Brooklyn Beard Awards,” “Planet Earth” and “Coming This Fall” which is the entire company acting out trailers for episodes from a TV cop show – “Snail Cop.”
I could have watched an entire evening of “Snail Cop.”
SKIN is creative. It’s surprising. It’s fun. The performers wear the traditional mask of the mime, but there is nothing traditional about their execution; taking on #MeToo, motivational speakers, the sometimes explosive relationship between fathers and sons. There’s a Ready Player One killing zombies game going on while mom and dad are killing one another with words, and a butterfly discovering all it can do with the gift of flight.
As you can guess from the fact that it is mime, the entire evening is silent except for the wonderful music that underlines and highlights each scene like a movie score.
This is an evening of joy. Joy of humanity, joy of art and joy of the theater and all that it brings to our lives.
Get a date, find a date, make a date, go.
(Certain Performances are set aside for children and a singles. See below**)
Cast: Nick Abeel, Becky Baumwoll, Duane Cooper, Blake Habermann, David Jenkins, Marissa Molnar, Joél Pérez, Regan Sims, and Matt Zambrano.
Aritistic Director – Becky Baumwoll, Lighting design – Jamie Roderick, Stage Manager – Esti Bernstein, Additional company members of BKBX include Géraldine Dulex, Ismael Castillo, Dinah Berkeley, and Tasha Milkman.
SKIN will play a limited engagement through Sunday, February 3rd, 2019. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, with an early bird special of $20,
Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7pm and Sundays at 2pm. Previews begin Friday, January 18 with official opening night set for Thursday, January 24, plus a special added performance on Monday, January 28 at 7pm. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, with an early bird special of $20 (if tickets are purchased before December 15). For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.brokenboxmime.com or by calling 800-838-3006.
Jeffrey and Paula Gural Theatre at the A.R.T./New York Theatres (502 West 53rd Street at 10th Avenue).
**Additional Performance Information: Relaxed performances will be offered on Sunday, January 27 and Sunday, February 3 at 2pm, providing accessibility to audience members with neurodivergence, as well as families with babies or children who may need to move and verbalize during the performance. Singles Night on Friday, January 25 at 7pm, which includes a drink with ticket purchase and seating next to another single. The Out Loud Series, a post-show talk-back with the company and community leaders, will take place after all weeknight performances on Wednesday, January 23; Thursday, January 24; Wednesday, January 30; and Thursday, January 31. Also “A “visual story” is available in advance of every performance, including program notes on each piece and description of the musical soundtrack, for individuals who may need to prepare for their evening in the theater.
