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The reputation for courageous theatre is deserved by Interact. It is an organization dedicated to serving the theatrical and artistic needs of adults with disabilities. Their mission is shared by the Tutti Ensemble of Adelaide, Australia, Interact’s collaborators on Between the Worlds. The music for the piece was originally composed by Tutti’s Pat Rix, with this production directed by Interact’s Artistic Director Jeanne Calvit. The Twin Cities have many theater companies that focus on specific communities or issues, but Interact is unique nationally in its model of working with adults with disabilities. In the pre-show address, Calvit noted that she had to go across the world to Australia to find a similarly dedicated spirit in Rix and Tutti.
Between the Worlds is at its base Romeo and Juliet, but reset for the Interact community and audience. The story focuses around a society that is torn apart by difference, in this case, between the “Norms” - normal, able bodies and minds - and the “Crips” - differently abled and disabled others. (The American connotation of the word “Crip” must never have gotten wrung out in transferring the piece from Australia.) In an interesting twist that provides for some heightened tensions and comic moments, though the Norms are supposedly superior, the needs of the Crips have marginalized them such that the only decent jobs entail working for Crips and providing them with services.
Caught in this world is Oliver, a Norm and a talented singer (played by Sam Videen) who has a hidden disability- although he looks and acts the Norm, he feels an otherness that sets him apart from his Norm friends. On the other side is Isabella, a Crip girl who dreams of being accepted by others and just seen as another pretty girl in the upcoming dance. Isabella is played by Aimee Crathern, an Australian actress who came over with Rix to work with Interact on the piece. Both Oliver and Isabella, played by Interact staff member Lola Lesheim and artist Tracy Sletten respectively, have controlling mothers anxious to warn them of the dangers of the other side. Both have well-sung touching numbers describing their own struggles that bring defining humanity to the divisive struggle.
Another highlight of the show was the involvement of J. Otis Powell! [sic], local poet and performance artist. As the Blind Prophet, in his words, “A beat poet, a street poet, a move-your-sweet-feet poet” Powell! provided the Greek Chorus who moved the scenes along and provides great moments of critical reason.
Since Between the Worlds is Romeo and Juliet, there were not many plot secrets. There were, however, comic interludes, bursts of well-rehearsed song, moments of slapstick and an overall sense of absurdity. This came from the unabashed lack of cynicism among the performers, both about the subject material and their own performances. This was a refreshing breath of air in a performance about prejudice and difference that in the hands of another company might have come out much more jaded. When the ending came, it came with an unexpected pathos that could only be achieved by the honesty of the actors.
Between the Worlds runs through December 21 at Mixed Blood Theater. See www.mixedblood.com for times, tickets and directions.
Location Info:
Mixed Blood Theatre
Artist Info: Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts
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