Know Theatre of Cincinnati's current production is an adaptation by John Glore of Madeleine L'Engle's popular 1962 book, A Wrinkle in Time. A collaboration with the Minneapolis-based Four Humors Theater, Jason Ballweber returns to Cincinnati to direct this family-friendly play.
The play follows the basic plot of the classic children's novel: Meg (portrayed perfectly by Four Humor's Alisa Mattson) and Charles Wallace (Know's DarNell Benjamin) go on a mission with their friend Calvin (Chris Wesselman) to rescue their father (Kirk Keevert), who is being held captive in an alternate universe and, of course, learn some lessons about friendship and family values along the way. Mrs. Watsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which (Mark Rehani, MJ Jurgensen, and Beth Harris, respectively) are entertaining as the children's guides through the wormhole.
With such a well-known storyline, the play could be just an average retelling, but the creative team has found ways to spice it up and keep it interesting. Minimal props and a simple set, with black walls and floor painted with constellation maps, allows the focus to stay on the actors who are telling the story, with different actors swapping out as the narrator to set a scene or provide information. Keeping with more of the black box theatre concept, you have to use your imagination many times to envision what the space should look like, much like when reading a book.
This minimalistic approach leaves the play to rely heavily on the talent of the cast to tell the story, including sound and visual effects, and they deliver. The creative team has come up with a unique use of overhead projectors to provide additional visual effects too. The script strives to appeal to both adults and (older) children and there's humor that both children and adults will enjoy, making it a well-balanced production.
While A Wrinkle in Time follows the basic storyline of the book, Know Theatre puts a fresh and contemporary spin on a classic tale. Bring your imagination (as well as a book for their book drive) and enjoy local theater.
All tickets to all Know Theatre productions this season are $12 in advance and $15 on the WEEK of the performance, starting Monday at noon. You can purchase online at www.knowtheatre.com or call the Know Theatre box office at (513) 300-KNOW (5669). Flexible subscriptions are also available for $48.
Book Drive information:
In celebration of the joys of reading- our portal into the imaginative world of A Wrinkle In Time -Know Theatre is holding a book drive to benefit the Peaslee Neighborhood Center. This book drive will be sponsored by Giveback Cincinnati. We invite you to bring your gently used or previously loved books, especially children's and toddler age books, with you to A Wrinkle In Time. Books may also be dropped off at the theatre during our office hours Monday through Saturday 11am - 6pm, or before a performance.
