Theatre Artibus teams with Starry Night for visually stunning ‘GloWing’

Flitting somewhere between kids’ theatre, performance art, circus and comedy, the latest offering from Theatre Artibus features a collaboration with immersive circus outfit Starry Night Productions.  Performed in the Denver Savoy, GloWing is a tale of freedom, choice and path-finding told from the point of view of a group of moths.

Yep, moths. Butterflies usually get the top billing in any lepidoptera-themed tale, but here the choice to go with those nocturnal light junkies offers a neat opportunity to set everything in the dark with plenty of glowing stuff.

The scenic design includes lots of moving parts, cool art and a variety of lights to ground the action in the dark outdoors. (Kudos to lighting designer Sean Mallary for a full palate of fixed and moving elements.) Inventive costumes by Brynn Starr Sater contain elements of Victorian steampunk and vaudeville with modest wings that aren’t in the way.

The story starts with a female entomologist looking to show up her all-male science club with discoveries of her own. Net in hand, Jeannene Bragg has fun with a role where the character is torn between professional advancement and her deep love of the moths themselves. Still, if you’re going to study moths, in the jar they must go!

The winged characters come in two groups: The Millers, played by Buba Basishvili, Fronzo Gilkey II and Meghan Frank; and the Mothdinis — a circus-y group played by Dane Torbenson and Jonas Whalen. Amber Blais is a delightful presence as the independent Luna, a sorta sexy moth who performs most of the aerial work hanging from a crescent moon.

The Mothly Crew, clockwise from top: Amber Blais, Dana Torbenson, Jonas Whalen, Meghan Frank, Jeannene Bragg, Buba Basishvili, Fronzo Gilkey II | Photo: Martha Wirth Photography

A busy, busy stage

There’s so much going on here that it’s a bit tricky to figure out exactly what the story being told is all about — other than that of a bug catcher chasing bugs that would prefer not to be caught. There’s not as clear a plotline or morality play one might include in a show purely aimed at kids, although the overall feel of the show feels like something for younger audiences. Despite that, as well as some sections that lagged a bit, the kids in the audience seemed pretty engaged and laughed a lot at the mothly hijinks.

It’s helpful to set aside the expectation of a plot-centric theatre piece and look at GloWing as a performance piece that’s best enjoyed moment to moment. Movement is at the heart of much of the appeal, alongside the powerful visuals that make audience members feel like they’re truly stepped into another realm. There’s magic in the air, there’s juggling, some acrobatics, lots of goofy puns and a unique sense of place in this nighttime world.

As with every Artibus production, one walks away with the memory of the experience firmly planted in mind. This collaboration with Starry Night adds some appealing elements that complement Basishvili’s artistic vision nicely. And while it’s a bit bumpy in parts, it’s impossible not to walk away feeling like you’ve seen something utterly unique and bursting with creative energy.

Amber Blais and Fronzo Gilkey II | Photo: Martha Wirth Photography