Photo Source: Ed Krieger
The script focuses on Asterius, the minotaur of Greek myth, as the half-man-half-bull turns 30 and realizes his relationship with his parents may be as mythical as we know his own story is. He dreams of love from his mother, whom he hasn't seen in 27 years. He wants her to see how well he has grown up, so perhaps she'll help end the Greek festivals of brutality and massacre he must face every seven years when local warriors enter his lair to battle him. Meanwhile, he is visited by young Icarus—his opposite in many ways, a child whose parents gave him too much space.
Some of Yockey's dialogue works as psychological insight into our ancient selves and social commentary on our modern selves. Asterius' mother spouts mother-isms; his sister's chatter is self-centered and superficial. But too much of the dialogue is repeated begging by one character of another, even though a deliberate writerly choice.
Still, the actors bring their all to the material, under Abigail Deser's direction. Nick Ballard turns the monstrous minotaur into a charmingly modest young man, melancholic without self-pity, convincing as the creature who could crush Greece's best soldiers. Jill Van Velzer is glamour and mystery personified as Asterius' mother. Casey Kringlen certainly fits the bill as Icarus, described as "blithe, fickle, pretty, craving attention." Likewise, Laura Howard is selfish without being grating as Asterius' sister. Playing the three fates serving as chorus are Ashanti Brown, Teya Patt, and Katie Locke O'Brien, hilarious and well-drilled in unison and harmony.
Kurt Boetcher's set consists of walls and columns of stones, the floor hinting at a labyrinth with gravel paths. The chorus swings above the action, passing a rope of fate through their hands. Lap Chi Chu's mercurial lighting establishes playing spaces as well as mood. Robert Prior provides the shadow puppets, Icarus' wings, the minotaur's horns, and the costumes with touches of ancient Greece. Unfortunately these elements, though beautifully rendered, don't make up for the script's deficiencies.
Presented by and at Theatre @ Boston Court, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. July 23–Aug. 21. Thu.–Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. (626) 683-6883. www.bostoncourt.org.
