RAIN AT THE CURRAN THEATER IS A CIRCUS ADRIFT IN A CLOUDBURST.
It’s hard to describe “Rain” because to everyone it will mean something else. You can’t pigeon hole this one. Some people will look at it and exclaim “It has sexual homo-erotic overtones!” To some they will simply see a wonderful riotously alive circus peopled with talented acrobats, gymnasts and contortionists. You will wonder at how they did all of this on the Curran stage. They fly through air on ropes and trapezes as if they were in the jungle.
Rain is unlike anything else out there. It’s bound to be an instant delight to kids and adults alike. Kids should be over seven. And even then, parents may want to know that there is one amusing moment when the cast is playing like kids in the water – that one guy simulates peeing on another guy. Of course, it is not real – and you would have to see it to really appreciate the intent of the scene. Other than that one flickering moment – I don’t think that your little darlings will be alarmed over anything. You certainly should prepare however for a thrilling ride chuck full of electrifying entertainment!. There is this though. Don’t expect to really understand what is going on. Everyone will have to interpret the story line for themselves. Indeed, one of the cast members shouts out: “Does anyone know what this is all about? I don’t get it.” And that in a nutshell tells you a lot about this entertainment. There is very little speaking – and when they do talk it is in broken English. The cast is French.
One of the most dazzling scenes is when the Athletic players cavort around the stage with giant Hula Hoops. What they can do on those hoops is thrilling and heart-stopping. The hoop rims are lit up in a soft red color from secret lighting somewhere around the stage giving the performance extra zip. All around – the lighting is exquisite.
The cast uses no nets and no safety devices that I could see as they do their highly dangerous routines. The effects are magical. Colored papers sometimes drop from the ceiling – like messages to the cast. In fact they could be.
Maybe that is what the story is about. But you know what? You don’t need a story to enjoy this. The Hunks and the Hunkettes (The Girls) are Jocely Bigras, Oksana Burliy, Jean-Phillippe Guerrier, Stephane Gentilini, Catherine Girard, Krin Maren Haglund, Aimee Janaan Hancock, Nadine Louis, Bartolmiej Pankau, Jonas Wolverton and Jacek Wyskup. They are all so talented and so good-looking that you just want to plant big wet ones on each and everyone’s face.
The marvelous lighting is by Martin Larrecque, Cuillaume Lord designed the effective Set and the intriquing costumes were designed by Martin Labrecque. And happily with the eclectic music (operatic melodies, torchy songs and Latin beats) that the artists sing and with all the ensemble talent – you leave feeling like “Dancing in the Rain”.
The ending is so spectacular, so dramatic that I don’t want to spoil the evening for you. If nothing else – you must see this ending!
RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!!