By Alayna Een
Sirens is a new, original musical by Levi Taylor (Headphone Theater) setting sail in Spanish Fork, Utah, at the Angelus Theatre. This swashbuckling story centers on Charlotte, the fearless daughter of a local shipbuilder, who has adopted the alter ego of “the admiral” to authorize her adventures and involvement in seafaring. But when an important ship and its crew, including Charlotte’s best friend’s husband, disappear, the guilty Charlotte assembles a crew of fearless females to steal away to their rescue. Always caught up with the promise of adventure, Charlotte soon finds her fill in the form of violent flying beasts, snatching fish-women, and treasure-hungry pirates. She strikes a deal with the storied Captain Ironboot to help with the treasure hunt in exchange for finding the shipwrecked sailors, and they both get more than they bargained for.
A pirate story that passes the Bechdel test is a treasure rarer than gold doubloons, and that is a large part of the appeal of Sirens. Charlotte and her crew share the stage and the story equally with the other crewmembers, and there are multiple plotlines, character motivations, and clever conversations that round out the play—a credit to Levi Taylor’s storytelling. The titular monsters (costume design by Katrina Dekarver and Hair and Makeup by Mailee Prows) keep the audience members at the edge of their seats as swarms of winged harpies swiftly pick off unsuspecting sailors and murderous mermaids (Katrina Dekarver and Camille Rust) pull unfortunate crewmates off the front of the stage. The fast-paced scenes are carefully interspersed with humor and romantic tension, thanks to the crafting of director Adam Cannon, and the drama—especially in the first and penultimate scenes—is heightened by Joseph Governale’s lighting design. Bethany Taylor’s choreography and Elisabeth Goulding’s set design are simple but highly effective in establishing the setting.
The ensemble members each have characters, quirks, and ad libs that bring humor, depth, and color to every scene, from the comedy duos of Longfellow and Fitzwilliam (Christopher Doubleday and Abe Francis) and Maurine and Maddie (Amanda Gould and Alexa Quigley) to the gun-loving Nancy (Chelsea Lynn Tramell) and little Meredith (Sydney Goodrich) to the fainting Nigel (Kurtis Goodrich). Cara Uhl’s vest-clad Elizabeth was a standout among the stellar ensemble for her dancing and character investment. Two supporting characters steal the show in their scenes: Lisa King’s Old Sal has the audience in stitches with her slurred lines and drunken antics and Kiera Taylor’s Young Charlotte is daring and darling with Hammersmith (Tyler Scott Mitchell) in “How it Happened.”
Greg Goddard’s Captain Gregory is stalwart and longsuffering and Eduardo Alencar’s Anthony captures the character’s scientific mind and social discomfort while convincingly connecting with Elizabeth Adams’s Abbie. This is Adams’s first stage role, and she successfully portrays the proper English lady and supportive friend.
The lead characters are incredibly talented and convincing in their roles. Savannah Johanson brings strength, courage, and wanderlust to Charlotte but is also adept at capturing her character’s relationships and chemistry with other key characters. Her performance of “Waves of Adventure” is a musical highlight of the show. And it’s impossible to imagine anyone other than Devin Tanner playing the debonair Ironboot. His charisma and intensity balance with his humor and contemplation throughout the play, and his chemistry with other characters is undeniable. Tanner’s high-caliber performance is a lynchpin in the success of the play.
There’s room for everyone on this high-seas adventure, and audience members of all ages can be heard laughing, oohing, and clapping along to the show. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get caught up on the waves of adventure with Headphone Theater’s Sirens at the Angelus Theatre in Spanish Fork, Utah.
Headphone Theater Presents Sirens
Written and Produced by Levi Taylor
The Angelus Theatre, 165 N Main St, Spanish Fork, UT, 84660
Tickets: $16 to $18 (follow social media for coupon codes)
September 16 to October 1, 2022 (Monday, Friday, Saturday) 7:30 PM
Headphone Theater website
Sirens Digital Program
Sirens Musical Event Facebook Page
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