*The Human Dream Project
By Admiral Grey Liz Oakley, Rachael Shane, Camille Cooper, Natthew Marvan, Nikki Calonge Outside In By Jenny Lai Becky Baumwoll, Nick Abeel Who’s Oklahoma Created/performed by Joseph Silovsky Sound Design, Catherine McRae The first of this years Encores! series at New York City Center - a revival of a show that was originally on Broadway in 1983.
A play that was born out of a YouTube hole that Van Hughes fell into when brainstorming ideas for a new project. Hughes and Nick Blaemire have concocted a unique and innovative show from a bizarre chapter in history. The play tells the story of the space race between Russia and the United States, focusing specifically on the Russian strategy of sending stray dogs into space. Hughes and Blaemire have done their research, but they also weave in an imagining of the Russian Chief Designer's inner struggle between beating the Americans into space and sending the dog Laika - who he comes to love - to circulate the Earth (knowing they do not yet have the technology to bring her home). The show feels like you've walked into an elaborate basement sound stage. Hughes and Blaemire are tireless - playing multiple human characters in different costumes, voicing countless dog characters (using puppets), and playing instruments while singing clever and funny original songs. The set was simple but versatile and effect; among their tools were a tripod with a camera off to the side (live streaming to the stage for when the characters were on TV), a science experiment diorama, an electric keyboard put to good use for all different sound effects, and of course, many dog puppets/stuffed animals.
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