How to go
What: “Animal Farm”
Where: NCR Renaissance Auditorium of the Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N., Dayton
When: Through May 11; Today/Sundays at 2 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Cost: $12-$20
Tickets/more info: www.daytonartinstitute.org or www.zoottheatrecompany.org
The consistently inventive puppet/mask troupe Zoot Theatre Company presents George Orwell’s powerful, timely and relevant 1945 classic “Animal Farm” through May 11 at the Dayton Art Institute.
A particularly satiric look at Stalinism, “Animal Farm” addresses themes of power, betrayal, sacrifice and unity within Manor Farm in England. Napoleon and Snowball, two young pigs, lead a revolt to oust alcoholic farmer Mr. Jones, who hasn’t taken good care of the animals. Once Mr. Jones is overthrown, the animals implement Seven Commandments of Animalism, especially enforcing “all animals are equal.” Although the commandments are intended to keep order and strengthen harmony between the animals against humans, they are later revised. “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” is a specific alteration heightening the tale to thought-provoking proportions as the animals ultimately adopt more human traits.
“Although written before the Cold War, ‘Animal Farm,’ which is beautifully crafted, has become an allegory for any sort of extremist thought that becomes oppressive to the people,” said director Aaron Vega, a founding member of Zoot who notably directed his own adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” for the organization in 2012. “In hindsight you can apply ‘Animal Farm’ to Iran, Iraq, Russia or the Ukraine. I’m attracted to the material because I want to take it out of its historical context. I don’t want this production to feel like a history lesson.”
“This story says so much about the importance of being together, being equal, and how unity can be steered in a different direction,” said Zoot co-founder/artistic director and puppet designer D. Tristan Cupp. “You can work very hard and think you’re doing the right thing, but you’re actually playing a role in someone else’s idea.”
Vega, a Wright State University theater graduate who recently appeared in the Human Race Theatre Company’s excellent production of “Other Desert Cities,” is opting for a minimalist approach in his staging. He encourages the audience to use its imagination in order to be transported into the action.
“I want to present the essence of the animals,” Vega explained. “I’m not a fan of talking animals, showing mouths moving, but I also feel our animals should have emotional indicators. The audience doesn’t need to see an entire horse. If our puppeteers do their jobs correctly the audience will be able to fill in the blanks. And that’s the exciting thing about puppetry for me.”
The seven-member cast consists of Eric Arntz, Lisa Bernheim, Darren Brown, Natalie Houliston, Juliet Howard-Welch, Michael Stockstill, and Ayn Wood. The creative team includes co-puppet designer Leesa Haapapuro, sound designer Nathan Dean, lighting designer John Rensel, costumer Shirley Wasser, and scenic designer Ray Zupp.
“Zoot is very good about creating a strong visual style and telling a simple story in an interesting way,” Vega said. “With ‘Animal Farm’ Zoot is getting back to the basics of what we do very well.”
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