By Nate Brown
The late December rain outside the Eccles Black Box Theater in Salt Lake set a somber mood as we crossed from the parking garage to see This Bird of Dawning presented by The Sting & Honey Company. Traffic had delayed us, so my eleven-year-old daughter and I were very grateful for the nearby Regent Street parking garage that allowed us to be in the theater within two minutes of stepping out of my car.
We found seats at the front and anxiously awaited the show, snacking on candy and Chocolate covered nuts purchased from concessions. After a short wait, the creator and director Javen Tanner addressed us with a reminder that this is the eleventh production and tenth year that This Bird of Dawning has been performed. He then introduced us to five of the eight original cast members. The feeling of gratitude between students and teacher swelled and left the audience with warm anticipation as the house lights fell.
This Bird of Dawning is a telling of the stories surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ, using poetry, music, dance, flowing fabric, and neutral masks. The black box theater lives up to its name and maintains a solid darkness throughout the show, which brilliantly contrasts with the white clothing and rare accent colors of the cast – highlighted masterfully by the lighting designed by Jaron Hermansen.
Justin Schulze, Zach Downard, and Brian Whitney stand out immediately as the Magi because of the color in their masks. The opening scene unfolds with the rest of the cast carefully leading them, using long white trains of fabric to introduce us to one symbolic theme of the evening – following your heart. The cast immediately shows they’ve been well taught by Tanner in the movement necessary to bring life to neutral mask work, and the passion of the performers and their characters shines on the stage.
Mary (Rain Tanner) and Joseph (River Knight) begin their betrothal with angelic visits by Ben Mortenson, and the story we know begins. We follow Mary through her betrothal, journey to the Bethlehem stable, her birthing of the Christ child, and beyond, with the cast taking on many roles, including Payson Doblin as the innkeeper.
Rain Tanner exemplifies the strength, beauty, and vulnerability of Mary throughout her performance. Delicately and purposely supported by the rest of the cast, Tanner appears fragile but unwavering, and earns the love of everyone watching.
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Even as we fast forward to times with Christ (Mortenson), the woman taken in adultery (Liberty Miller), and the woman with an issue of blood (Miranda Kofford), Rain Tanner plays the humble strength of Mary with dignity and heart – earning the tears shed by the audience.
This production deserves one more note of praise. It is not until the final bows that the bottom layer of masks are removed, and it is a shock to see that the faces of performers are at least ten years younger than I would have guessed. The maturity and skill of the cast was well beyond my expectation for their years.
This Bird of Dawning presented by the Sting & Honey Company is destined to become your family favorite event of the season. The production staff does ask that parents take care to ensure that children do not become a distraction, and babes in arms are not allowed. The quiet tone and deep symbolism will probably not interest children under eight years old.
Come see this show. You won’t want to miss it.
The Sting & Honey Company presents This Bird of Dawning by Javen Tanner
Regent Street Black Box, George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater, 131 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
December 21-22, 7:30 PM. Dec 22, 2:00 PM
Tickets: $15
Contact: 801-355-2787
This Bird of Dawning Facebook Event
Sting and Honey Facebook Page
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