By Nathan Brown
Walking down the streets of the Gateway on my way to attend Masks of a Modern Generation by Rakan during the Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival, I was reminded of how much I love the Gateway when it is full of people. During the Fringe Festival, all ages, sizes, shapes, and colors can be found on Rio Grande Street. As I navigated the walkways, the smell of food trucks drifted through the air while the surprisingly enjoyable energy of open-air karaoke echoed off the walls, bringing an eclectic combination of hunger and excitement to the evening.
Finding 133 S Rio Grande Street, the quaint and unassuming found-space theater for the performance, was an adventure on its own. I passed the theater twice before my eye was drawn to the window pamphlets surrounding the stage door.
Masks of a Modern Generation combines the mute tradition of movement in masks with a modern monologue. Steven Jones, the performer of Masks and cofounder of Rakan, tells the story of four characters through masks during the first half of the performance, and then reveals his own masks through monologue at the end. The effect begins as humorous, perhaps even silly, but slowly turns the mirror back on the audience as we start to realize that Jones is actually playing characters that represent us. When the masks fall away and we have Jones as our voice, seeing the stage from our perspective, the message touches the soul in a way that no mere monologue could do on its own.
Jones shows an adept understanding of the impact and requirements of mask performance. His body moves and contorts with a skillful flow, at times mesmerizing and (during his Neutral Mask performance) toeing the line of terrifying. His voice after the silence of the mask work is both jarring and comforting, bringing us from a growing nightmare into an uncomfortable calm where the deep inward-looking introspection begins.
Be aware that this is a found-space performance. The theater has been constructed in what likely had previously been a clothing shop, so the acoustics and air conditioning can make words difficult to hear. Jones and his tech manager, Erica Carvalho, do a wonderful job with lighting and sound in the space, but this performance is not about polish. Masks is beautiful and well-performed, but the edges and transitions of the performance are more raw and real than is typical in the magic of a Broadway-style performance. The runtime is under 30 minutes.
Masks of a Modern Generation is given an R rating by the Festival, but that feels a bit overcautious. There are a few incidents of explicit language, and there are some elements that could be frightening, but the subject matter feels appropriate for teens on up.
Take a chance on this show. If you let its message touch you, you won’t be disappointed.
Rakan presents Masks of a Modern Generation by Steven Jones
The Gateway, 133 S Rio Grande, Salt Lake City, UT, 84101
Remaing performances: 9-12, 2018 (times vary, see schedule)
Festival admission $5, show tickets $10 (purchase tickets)
gslfboxofficestaff@gmail.com
Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival Facebook Page
Masks of a Modern Generation Facebook Event
0 Comments