Review: “Starmites” at Atwater Village Theatre

Starmites Ensemble (Photo – Jenny Graham)

A romp into an awkward teenage girl’s comic book fueled fantasy of saving the galaxy!

By Carol Edger Germain

This Tony-nominated musical, presented on Broadway in 1989, with music and lyrics by Barry Keating and based on a book by Keating and Stuart Ross, has had several runs. Now a version presented by Open Fist Theatre Company has graced Atwater Village Theatre with its bold presence, full of heart, humor, and fantasy.

Director Scott Peterman presents his vision as calling new attention to this “heart warming piece of unadulterated theatrical fun, using modern entertainment technologies:

• projection mapping,
• AI-assisted animation, and
• EDM-influenced digital orchestrations

— to breathe new life into this retro space age story,” and succeeds delightfully.

Family friendly, the audience of all ages easily projected themselves into the fantasy. The music kept the pace of the story going and all of us were rooting for Eleanor (Talia Gloster), the teenage heroine, in her quest. As she fantasizes her way into this imagined universe as a savior of the galaxy, we enjoy being along for the ride, the music, and the humor. We meet up with Space Punk (Bradley Sharper), the Starmites (Alex Hogy, Rieves Bowers, Jasper Wong), and a lizard man named Trinkulus (Brendan Mulally) as they fight the evil Shak Graa and the Banshees (Lindsey Moore Ford, Elle Engelman, Sarah Martellaro, Emily Rafala), led by Diva (the amazing Cat Davis, who also plays the role of Eleanor’s mother).

Playing through July 8 – take the grandparents and the kids (suitable for ages 8+) for a fun family event.

Starmites
Extended through July 23
Fridays at 8:00 pm
Saturdays at 8:00 pm
Sundays at 3:00 pm.
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave.
Los Angeles, CA  90039
323-882-6912
Tickets - openfist.org

Talia Gloster in Starmites (Photo – Jenny Graham)

Live music at Starmites (Photo – Jenny Graham)