January 2008 Theatre Review by Meghan Gillogly

Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale

Critical Evaluation: **** out of ****

Lookingglass and Silver Guy Entertainment present "Hephaestus" starring Jarrett Daiper, Abigail Droeger, Nich Galzin, Viktoria Grimmy, Tony Hernandez, Lijana Wallenda-Hernandez, Rick Kubes, Richie McGuire, Almas Meirmanov, Anya Stankus, Anna Vigeland and Rani Waterman.

Amazing is all I could say or think the moment I left the Lookingglass Theatre on Michigan Avenue for the first time. I haven't been that entertained or in awe of a performance in a long time and I have the cast of "Hephaestus" to thank. According to Greek myth, Hephaestus was born crippled and disfigured. Displeased by the sight of him, Hera cast her son from the heavens into the sea. This is where the story begins with Abigail Droeger (Little Girl) serving as the narrarator of the story throughout. Her narration added emotion in words to what was happening on stage and in the air for that matter. She did an exemplary job of helping to keep the story glued together.

The production combines elements of live theater, music and and circus to create an imaginative work of art in the form of live performance. If ever anyone thought they were an example of human well being and health, than come see what the human body is truly capable of. It will blow your mind as to how graceful, talented and hard-working these individuals truly are. It made me wonder though how intense these athletes really have to work to do the things they do or is it a God-given talent that comes naturally to them and merely requires maitenance work? Either way, the production is carried off in quite an unusual, eccentric way that is pleasing to all ages and theater preferences.

Lijana Wallenda-Hernandez's costume designs complimented the already beautiful performers and helped accentuate the fantasy/mythology theme of the production that truly helped envelope the audience into the story at hand. Brian Sidney Bembridge's lighting design was an artwork all on its own. The angles the light came from and color coordination with the work on stage was often breathtaking and made everything so vibrant and lively, Bravo!

Tony Hernandez's creative aspect of this production was clever and different and his work stood out in a crowd of average productions around town. Even though there were veteran circus performers from the elite ensembles of Ringling Bros., the Wallenda Family, and Cirque du Soleil, the material used was fresh and seemed even more challenging to execute as the stage is much smaller than anything you would view the other large circus companies around. Overall, I cannot say enough about how wonderful this treat of a production is and it is definitely a must see for all!

"Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale" is about 70 minutes in length without an intermission and continues through February 24, 2008. Curtain times are Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30-$60 and are available through Lookingglass box office, 821 N. Michigan Ave. 312-337-0665 or lookingglasstheatre.org.

A Second Look at Hephaestus

Review by Al Bresloff

It's back! Tony Hernandez's marvelous "Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale" is back at The Lookingglass Theatre and it is even better the second time around. This is a theatrical "happening" for the entire family featuring the Wallenda Family, Ringling Brothers and Cirque Du Soleil acrobats. This enchanting story is told with amazing style and in the intimate Lookingglass Theatre, we the audience almost feel as if the performers are within our grasp as they do trapeze work, silk work, and walk a tightrope within inches of the balcony seats. WOW! is probably the easiest expression to use.

According to Greek Myth, Hephaestus (Tony Hernandez, creator, co-writer and co-director) was born weak, disfigured and crippled and so his mother, Hera (the enchanting Lijana Wallenda-Hernandez) cast him from the heavens and he fell to the Earth, where he became a great artist, working with metal. He creates art as well as men made of steel and as the story unfolds he once again re-unites with Hera. There are some amazing works in this production: The hula hoop work by Anya Stankus as Aphrodite (Hephaestus falls in love with this beauty), Richie McGuire as one of the Silver Guys, Almas Meirmanov as Ares, the lovely Sea Nymphs, and the adorable Abigail Droeger as our Little Girl/story teller (what a charmer). Heidi Stillman is the co-writer/director of this sizzling production)

The Actors Gymnasium Teen Ensemble (trained by Sylvia-Hernandez-DiStasi) complete the ensemble and the lighting (Brian Sydney Bembridge), Sound (Joshua Horvath and Ray Nardelli), music by Andre Pluess and Kevin O'Donnell (Mr. O'Donnell is also the drum captain with a great coordinated job, in "Stomp" fashion) and costumes by Ms Hernandez create the true imagery that makes this experience so special. If you were lucky enough to see this production earlier, take a friend or relative and see it again. If you missed it before, do not miss it this time. This is truly the definition of Lookingglass Theatre: "Theatre without a net"!