Guy Noland as Thomas Edison with Patrick Munoz, Nina Kasuya, Devyn Rush and Amir Levi (Photo – M Palma Photography)
The announcement of the world premiere of this semi-historical/semi-mythological production with some ambitious creative twists, was quite intriguing. The cherry on top is that it’s a musical!
By Carol Germain
Billy Larkin and Ron Boustead bring us an imagination-embellished historical tale about the life and scientific accomplishments of engineer-inventor Nikola Tesla (Thomas Winter), a sickly but brilliant citizen of the Austrian Empire (now Croatia). Tesla immigrated to the U.S. in the mid-1880s during the Industrial Revolution, accompanied by his best friend and assistant, Anton Szigeti (Christopher Romero Sosa).
Nikola stormed the rapidly expanding field of electrical energy and the competition between AC and DC, known as the “War of the Currents.” He feverishly worked on his poly-phase AC induction motor, set up testing spaces in New York, and he conducted constant experiments, especially whenever there was lightning. Along the way, he encountered both allies and rivals, including Thomas Edison (Guy Noland), Mark Twain (Chima Rok), Robert and Katharine Johnson (Daniel Krause and Lauren Lorati), financier J.P. Morgan (Steven Wishnoff, who also plays Dr. Brown), industrialist George Westinghouse (Patrick Munoz, who also plays Prometheus), and Daniel Krause (Robert Johnson/Father/Lab Assistant).
OK, so there’s the basic background on the real historical figures. Meanwhile, throughout the story, up in the heights of Mt. Olympus, the fantasy elements weave in and out with dynamic characters, bringing lots of laughs and some mildly risqué jokes, as the real world and the mythological realm intersect. The “high and mighty” entities include Athena (Nina Kasuya), the highest power on the mountain; the Goddess of Clouds, Electra (Devyn Rush); the God of Fire, Prometheus (Munoz); and the God of Wine and Ecstasy, Dionysus (Amir Levi—very funny, and the speaker of the most jokes–loved his character). Sydney Endicott plays Mother. They join Athena in observing and commenting on the events unfolding on Earth as humans strive to harness electricity and debate the merits of AC vs. DC.
During a storm, Tesla connects dynamically, intellectually, and irrevocably with Electra. She inspires him from above as he absorbs her knowledge, sharpening his insight into electricity’s uses and sources. He works with increasing speed and fervor, driven by their bond, even while enduring excruciating bouts of pain from his medical issues. Meanwhile, Athena has her hands full deciding whether humans are worthy of receiving her blessing and knowledge. The bond between Tesla and Electra grows dramatically, but Athena and the others never anticipated that Electra might wish to leave the mountain and live as a human. Athena had tasked her with determining if any human on Earth was worthy of such divine wisdom, so what will Electra’s decision be?
Excellent music of varying genres, clever lyrics, and strong vocal performances throughout, some truly powerful! My only criticism is that the show ran at least 15–20 minutes too long, and there were a few moments where the emotional weight of a scene might have come across more effectively through spoken words instead of song. Those slight adjustments would help balance the piece a bit better.
(Top row) Devyn Rush. (Bottom row) Chima Rok, Sydney Endicott, Steven Wishnoff, Lauren Lorati, Guy Noland, and Daniel Krause (Photo – M Palma Photography)
Only a few performances remain – June 5, 6, 7 (two performances), 8, 9: get your tickets!
Flashes of Light
A Musical by Billy Larkin and Ron Boustead
Directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera
Sierra Madre Playhouse
87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard
Sierra Madre, CA
626-355-4318
sierramadreplayhouse.org
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