If you are in the mood to travel the universe, dahlinks, then head (pun intended) to Chicago. Hell in a Handbag Productions is presenting I Promised Myself to Live Faster. This absurdist science fiction romp is an absolute blast.
Tim is a gay earthling who enters a public restroom. The “portal” becomes his wormhole to outer space. There is an universal battle in process for the Holy Gay Flame. Good is represented by three nuns who are dedicated to the birthing of homosexuals. An evil bishop from the straight (?!?!) planet Argoshaunia also enlists Tim to capture the flame. If extinguished it will spell the end of homosexuals everywhere. Egads!
The Chopin Downstairs Theatre is transformed into an ethereal place where marvels await. Take a seat and soak in the environment. This ride is hilarious, bizarre and bursting with color. This Promise is effusively gay, sweetly warmhearted, smartly wink-wink and very, very entertaining.
Let’s start with the nuns because they are trying to keep homosexuals in the universe. (We should not expect this piece to be mounted in Florida or Tennessee or other parochially oppressive galaxies anytime soon.) Each of the three nuns are holy unique and brilliantly portrayed characterizations. The homage to Magenta from Rocky Horror is spot on. They must convince Tim to capture the flame but more important are their wisecracks.
Company Artistic Director David Cerda is the Bishop intent on wiping out all flamboyance. One glance at his codpiece and you know thou doth protest too much. Every single person in this ensemble is memorable even when they are simply representing the transportation vehicle moving the action to the next locale. Director JD Caudill orchestrates this allegory with an abundance of fascinating details. The performances are serious rather than just campy which elevates the storytelling and lunacy.
The role of Tim, however, is the critical glue required to keep this phantasmagorical excess on the straight and narrow, so to speak. Robert Williams is absolutely perfect. He is fully committed in his quest(s) for the flame. His heroic portrait is stunningly effective, touchingly vulnerable and startingly believable.
Fans of Star Wars fondly remember Mos Eisley, the retched hive of scum and villainy. That cantina was populated with aliens of all kinds from many planets. Promise contains an intergalactic scene of otherworldly beings as well. This one is equally if not more notorious. No spoilers here; the visual spectacle is enthralling.
The entire creative team which assembled this giddy feast is to be commended for highly conceptual artistry on what was likely a modest budget. Special kudos to Costume Designers Beth Laske-Miller and Rachel Sypniewski for the priceless array of sci-fi realness and ratchet drag. The puppetry designs by Lolly Extract and Jabberwocky Marionettes are alone worth the ticket price.
I Promise Myself to Live Faster orbits on many levels. Comedic silliness. Individual self-discovery. Abounding inventiveness. Societal commentary. Category is: Tens Across the Board. I laughed merrily throughout.
Hell In a Handbag’s production of I Promised Myself to Live Faster is running through April 30, 2023. The show was created by the Pig Iron Theatre Company in 2015.