The immersive puzzle of ‘7 Words for Love’ showed off the company’s fanciful take on performance
*Note: This production has passed but check the LunAseas website for upcoming events.
7 Words for Love is not your typical theatrical performance. The LuneAseas production, directed by Leah Casper, was staged in the historic Masonic Temple which combined the two arts, theatre and architecture into an interactive production. Having the onlookers solve a puzzle expanded their minds into the different types of love that the human heart experiences.
The journey begins with a relaxing sound bath from the singing bowls and gong being played by Spiritual AF. The experience puts you in a tranquil and meditative state, making you become more relaxed to enjoy the experience of the show itself.
Depending upon the color of your ticket envelope, you followed one of the fates that guided you on your travels. Number three was prominent throughout the play. The Three Fates divided the audience into three groups, brought the three groups to three different stages on three different levels and performed three different acts simultaneously. They did it over and over until the end with such incredible ease.
The audience became part of the play and were moved from one floor to another between scenes. I promise you will get a workout walking up and down those stairs seven or eight times. (I lost count but my phone said it was 2,100 steps). Thankfully the historic corridors of the Temple were lined with historic pictures to look at during those changes, making it more of a personal tour.
The 7 Words for Love was acted out in different types of mediums such as dance from Front Range Contemporary Ballet, interpretive shadow dancing and music by Peaches Embry. The scenes where they did shadow dancing were not elaborate, not did it need to be since the lights and curtains were all that was needed to have the effect of the shadow dancing lit up upon the curtains. The shadows displayed the message of what type of love was involved to help put the pieces of the puzzle together.
The dancing in all the different parts was beautifully choreographed, and the lighting effects made you wonder whether magic mushrooms were involved along the process. It was left up to you to decipher the embedded message, and each guest was given a piece of paper to write down the seven different types of love you saw in each act. You could leave it with the players to burn later or keep it for yourself. It was a truly enjoyable theatre experience, and I would highly recommend seeing any of LuneAseas productions in the future for a new experience of live theatre.
Sue Miller lives and writes in Fort Collins after spending the majority of her life in Summit County.
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