Magic Smoking Monkey Theater is a unique and entertaining performance group that combines elements of vaudeville, puppetry, and comedy to create an unforgettable experience. The theater troupe is known for their elaborate and handcrafted marionettes, as well as their whimsical and humorous storytelling. The concept of Magic Smoking Monkey Theater originated from the minds of local artists and performers who wanted to bring together various forms of live entertainment in a single show. They began with the idea of marionettes as a way to bring characters to life and quickly added elements of comedy and spectacle to create a truly magical and immersive experience. At the heart of Magic Smoking Monkey Theater are the marionettes themselves, which are meticulously constructed and designed to captivate audiences. The puppeteers skillfully manipulate these intricate figures, making them seem as though they are alive and interacting with each other on stage.
The puppeteers skillfully manipulate these intricate figures, making them seem as though they are alive and interacting with each other on stage. The attention to detail in both the puppet design and the performance itself is truly remarkable. The performances at Magic Smoking Monkey Theater are filled with humor and wit, with comedic interludes and banter between the characters.
Maguc smoking monkey theater
Two musicals based on Jurassic Park opened here in April, but the overlap was minimal. The production that just closed was a hoot, and so is the one that just opened.
The show that just closed was Stray Dog Theatre’s Triassic Parq The Musical. It was a side story rather than a direct parody. It focused on the dinosaurs instead of the people in the Steven Spielberg blockbuster and explored the consequences of introducing maleness into an all-female society.
The show that just opened is Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre’s Jurassic Park: The Musical! It closely follows the movie’s plot while mocking its excesses.
The premise of Jurassic Park is that entrepreneurs have turned anisland off the coast of Costa Rica into a theme park populated with dinosaurs. They were cloned from DNA extracted from blood ingested by mosquitos fossilized in amber.
The movie tells the story of a group of people whose lives are on the line after a catastrophic failure of the barrier keeping the dinosaurs away from the people.
Magic Smoking Monkey version, directed by Donna Northcott, delivers exactly what St. Louis audiences expect from the pop culture parodies that are so popular here.
The quirks of characters and actors are subjected to entertaining caricatures. Rob McLemore lampoons the distinctive cadence as Jeff Goldblum as Ian Malcolm, the expert on Chaos Theory who utters the film’s most famous line: “Life finds a way.” James Enstall has fun with the nastiness in Wayne Knight’s portrayal of Dennis Nedry, the computer nerd whose opportunism causes all the trouble.
Jack Janssen has a firm handle in the cheerfulness of Richard Attenborough’s Hammond, while Bill Blanke conveys the intensity of Bob Peck’s Muldoon. Jordan Wolk as Alan Grant and Danielle Sherman as Ellie Sattler admirably recreate the scientists originated by Sam Neill and Laura Dern. Riley Stevenson channels his inner child as Tim, Hammond’s grandson. Stevenson is one of the operators of a hand puppet that amusingly substitutes for the other grandchild.
The fine supporting cast adds to the fun. The bracketed names in the following list are the actors who played the same part in the film.
- Kim Byrnes as Virtual Reality Hammond, Security, etc.
- Katie Brunwasser as Mr. DNA, Guide, Raptor
- Brandon Ellis as Ray Arnold [Samuel L. Jackson]
- Hunter Fredrick as Gennaro [Martin Ferrero], Pushing Team
- Marleena Garris as, Harding [Gerald R. Molen], Amber, Dilophosaurus
- Mack Holtman as Henry Wu [B.D. Wong], Asst, Mosquito, Raptor
- Creighton Markovich as Ensemble
- Marissa Meadows as Ensemble
Much of the buffoonery is funny on its own, but a recent viewing of the Jurassic Park helped me appreciate the adapters’ ingenuity. If I had not seen the movie, would I have recognized that chest thumping was the sound of an unseen helicopter? Maybe, but I would not have realized how inspired the use of semicircular fans was in Dennis Nedry’s death scene.
The songs written for the show have music by Nick Bohl and Dave Stevenson and lyrics by Jaysen A. Cryer and Donna Northcott. The musical numbers work well in the context of a Magic Smoking Monkey show. One of them explains Dennis Nedry’s back story with notable efficiency. The one called “Life Finds a Way” elicited the biggest response on opening night.
The production benefits from SH Boygen’s scenic design, Cora Varland’s costumes, John “JT” Taylor’s sound and lighting, and Amanda Handle’s props. Mack Holtman’s choreography
Jurassic Park: The Musical! continues through May 7 at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in the Kirkwood Community Center 111 South Geyer Road. This is a larger venue than I’m used to for Magic Smoking Monkey shows, but it worked out fine.
Photo by Marleena Garris
The quirks of characters and actors are subjected to entertaining caricatures. Rob McLemore lampoons the distinctive cadence as Jeff Goldblum as Ian Malcolm, the expert on Chaos Theory who utters the film’s most famous line: “Life finds a way.” James Enstall has fun with the nastiness in Wayne Knight’s portrayal of Dennis Nedry, the computer nerd whose opportunism causes all the trouble.
These moments of levity are expertly woven into the storyline, creating a balance of laughter and intrigue throughout the show. The audience is constantly engaged, as they are taken on a whimsical journey through a variety of scenes and scenarios. The theater troupe also incorporates elements of magic into their performances, adding an extra layer of excitement and wonder to the show. From disappearing acts to mind-bending illusions, the magic tricks performed by the characters only add to the mystique and charm of the production. Overall, Magic Smoking Monkey Theater is a one-of-a-kind experience that combines the arts of puppetry, comedy, and magic to create a truly magical and entertaining show. Whether you are a fan of theater, comedy, or simply looking for a night of unique entertainment, this theater troupe is sure to deliver an unforgettable experience. So sit back, relax, and prepare to be enchanted by the incredible world of Magic Smoking Monkey Theater..
Reviews for "Magic Smoking Monkey Theater: Where Fantasy Meets Reality"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Magic Smoking Monkey Theater. The performances were lackluster and the jokes fell flat. The actors seemed disinterested and there was no energy or enthusiasm in their performances. The whole experience felt like a waste of time and money. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a good night of entertainment.
2. John - 1 star - I have to say, the Magic Smoking Monkey Theater was one of the worst shows I've ever seen. The jokes were tasteless and offensive, and the humor was just juvenile. The actors seemed to rely on shock value rather than actual talent or wit. It felt like a cheap attempt at comedy, and I couldn't wait for it to be over. Save your money and go see a better show.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to see the Magic Smoking Monkey Theater, but it turned out to be a major letdown. The performances were unpolished and amateurish. The jokes were predictable and the skits lacked creativity. It felt like a bunch of random scenes put together without any real purpose or direction. I was hoping for a fun and entertaining evening, but unfortunately, it fell short on all counts. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for quality theater.
4. Alex - 1 star - I regretted my decision to go see the Magic Smoking Monkey Theater. The show was filled with offensive and inappropriate jokes that made me uncomfortable. It seemed like the actors were trying too hard to shock the audience rather than actually entertain them. The whole experience was cringe-worthy and left a bad taste in my mouth. I definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone who values quality entertainment.
5. Jessica - 2 stars - The Magic Smoking Monkey Theater was a complete disappointment. The acting was subpar and the skits were uninspired. The humor was juvenile and it felt like the show was trying too hard to be edgy and controversial. There was a lack of genuine talent and creativity in the performances. Overall, it was a forgettable experience that I wouldn't recommend to anyone seeking quality theater.