Sonya Ellingboe
Adventurous theater goers will leave any pre-conceived notions
of linear production a the alley door and become fully engaged,
though perhaps puzzled, by LIDA Project’s wild and wacky “Roller
Skating With My Cousin” presented through Feb. 20 at the Bindery
Space.
The new collaborative piece is a vision of the politics,
perceptions, myths and causes of the 1980s, backed by a steady
stream of music from the era — and a hefty amount of roller skating
at lightening speed. (Some of the flashily-dressed skaters are
members of Denver’s Roller Dolls roller derby competitors).
You really just need to experience this performance to grasp an
idea of its progression from speculation on astrophysics to a
reappearing Ronald Reagan, in boxer shorts and furry horns — and
three Nancys, to Jodi Foster to a grim character in a gas mask
struggling to create the universe in a kitchen sink. Words from
Genesis relate to creation. The head spins, but one is able to
connect some dots.
Imaginative staging includes a carefully planned building of a
symbolic Tower of Babel from tumbled cardboard cartons and a stage
floor painted to resemble constellations swirling.
Directed by Brian Freeland and Tonya Malik, this is a new piece
developed by the exceedingly creative ensemble.
Just lean back and enjoy the semi-chaos, color and music and
don’t try hard to be analytical — or to describe the performance
for someone.
“Roller Skating With My Cousin,” a new collaborative piece by
The LIDA Project, plays through Feb. 20 at The Bindery Space, 2180
Stout Street, Denver. (next to the Mercury Café) Performances: 8
p.m. Fridays, Saturdays. Tickets and information: 720-221-3821,
e-mail LIDA@lida.org, www.brownpapertickets.com/event/93585.
