The Magic Number, a series of 11 one-act plays performed by Liberty Bell Drama Company at the Merc Playhouse, continues its march of dystopian themes.
Themes include war, global warming, nihilism, loneliness, sexuality, cruelty, a search for meaning, murder and what at some moments this writer can only describe as the art form Dada.
Despite a rating of PG-13 and a warning on the flyer about “strong language and adult themes,” all MVSD students and family of cast and crew can attend for free. Strong language includes curse words, whose occasion decreased from last year’s production.
The series begins with 15 Dead Souls, a conversation between a nurse and a soldier about the horrors of war and who has killed (or unable to save) more people.
Santa’s Dolphins is a spoof about dolphins pulling Santa’s sleigh due to global warming. A dolphin and a reindeer come together for what, on stage, looks like a lesbian relationship.
A Tale of an Unexpected Gathering and Romance Made Absurd in the Telling is a play that tries to weave a story together but keeps getting interrupted by absurdity.
Domestic Help is perhaps the most difficult theme in the series. Felix, a clown hired as a domestic servant, has to come to terms with his employer’s cruelty toward children crying for help outside her door. The employer is so engrossed in 48,000 plus items on her to-do list (her reason for hiring Felix) that she forgets (spoiler alert!) about the children she was responsible for.
The Most Precious Thing is a story about a woman trying to make sense of her life in the space between earth and the afterlife.
Ancestry is perhaps the most light-hearted play in the series. A human character receives surprising DNA results showing she is a cat and has a heck of a time proving otherwise. Mazie Gibb and Nina Halpin do an outstanding job and provide much needed relief in their comedic performance.
Soul Mate is about a young man looking for love, only to be lied to and (spoiler alert!) murdered by the woman with whom he thought he would spend the rest of his life.
Summer Solstice is a play about two friends returning from a comic book event when they are accosted by a devilish figure from a comic book who wants their “virgin blood.” The duo has to work together to escape.
Family By Numbers, the last act, is a haunting play, based on a true story, about a family’s dynamics and grief following the loss of one of their own.
By and large, students performed outstandingly. Rowan Kelley does a moving solo performance in 19 Excellent Reasons to Date Matthew Weaver. Kelley’s monologue is comedic with a palpable thread of loneliness.
Alida Burt hits the note in her solo performance of The Song in Every Musical That No One Likes. The lyrics are relatable to anyone that has ever sat through a musical.
The Methow Valley is fortunate to have a vibrant theater community, but the recurring themes in LBHS’ plays make one wonder if it is not the director that is trying to make sense of something.
Audiences for less bleak plays will have to wait. LBHS’ spring production is Hadestown: Teen Edition.
Last show of LBHS’ production of The Magic Number begins tonight at 7 pm at the Merc Playhouse. Doors open 30 minutes prior. Free admission for MVSD students, staff and families of cast and crew.
The section on “Summer Solstice” in this article has been updated to include the devilish figure wanting “virgin blood.”
I found the Magic Number to be deeply provocative at times and comedically balanced as it explores some depths of humanism. Your claim of dystopian themes seems a bit off base as many of the pieces offered hope and resolve to difficult and awkward human relationships and circumstances. Others offered a moral ambiguity or in your words, nihilism, to ponder. The students chose their own pieces, so these are a reflection of the students’ own interests and aspirations. Mr. Grayum guides discussions and critical thought with students as they explore these topics in a structured environment. Because this collection of shorts tackles some uncomfortable a dark areas, I believe it’s a poignant reflection of a teenage experience. At times playfully innocent and hopeful, other times isolating and dark. The performers put on a great show and should feel proud for stretching their minds and spirits and challenging the audience.