Mickle Maher’s excellent, genre-bending musical features an all-star local cast
When Gulliver’s Travels first came out in the 1700s, critics accused author Jonathan Swift of misanthropy, or a deep disdain for humankind. It’s hard to imagine that word being used to describe someone who once wrote “Power is no blessing in itself, except when it is used to protect the innocent.”
In Small Ball, a new musical from The Catamounts, the little people of Jonathan Swift’s adventure novel, the Lilliputians, are placed in the one of the most unlikely places for a troupe of humanoids just under 6 inches: the basketball court.
Diana Dresser as Mrs. Horton in ‘Small Ball’ | Michael Ensminger photo
Jessica Jackson, former artistic director for Creede Repertory Theatre, provides direction for the production, while Henry-nominated Trent Hines provides the musical direction. Off-Broadway playwright Mickle Maher, whose work includes an adaptation of Jason Lutes’ Berlin, provides the hysterical book and lyrics for the show. Musical virtuosos Merel Van Dijik and Anthony Barilla, whose work includes scoring episodes of the popular NPR show This American Life, provide the music.
The story is set in a world where every fictional story ever told has magically become real. This includes the Wizard of Oz, Winnie the Pooh, etc. But while others get to relish this brave new world, our story centers on Lilliput, an island whose only real claim to fame is that the people are abnormally small.
Star player of the Lilliputian Existers, Michael Jordan (not that Michael Jordan, but everyman Michael Jordan) is expertly played by Orlanders Jones. This Jordan feels more comfortable reading French Literature and thinking about his estranged relationship with his dying mother than talking about his skills on the court.
Jordan has been hired by Phil Jackson, president of the Lilliputians, as a misguided attempt to bring Lilliput into the modern era. Never mind that Lilliput has never had a basketball team before, their small stature makes it virtually impossible for them to play against a team of “regular-sized” players. And Jordan has to face the impossible decision whether to play ball and risk critically injuring his teammates — or to do nothing and lose.
Jackson is played by Jordan Leigh, making his debut with The Catamounts. Leigh expertly navigates the tragic comedy of a man who is too small for his ambitions, and his character’s unraveling is easily one of the most entertaining aspects of the show.
Maggie Tisdale, Richard Cadwallader and Jordan Leigh | Photo: Michael Ensminger
There are stellar performances all around from a brilliant ensemble cast. Lilli, President Jackson’s daughter, princess of Lilliput and the real star player of the Lilliput Existers, is expertly portrayed by Colorado Mesa alumnus Heidi Carann Snider. Snider’s melodious voice and heartfelt portrayal of a foul-mouthed princess make her an absolute joy to watch.
Zayaz Da Camara excels as Pippin, Phil Jackson’s court vizier and general misanthrope. Notable scene-stealing moments include his lamentations about his general distaste for the outside world and his ruminations on a dream where he becomes a puddle.
Mrs. Horton, who has named herself after the titular elephant in the Dr. Seuss book, is the teams analytics expert. Because the Lilliputians are so much smaller, they tend to be able to process emotions in a big way. Diana Dresser brings all the joy to a character that becomes completely consumed by her research and her love for her fellow person.
Maggie Tisdale and Rich Cadwallader provide some incredible comic relief as Bird and Magic, respectively.
Laura and Bob, two reporters from an ESPN-esque talk show “Seems a Bit Unlikely” serve as a kind of Greek chorus and ask the questions that the Lilliputians and Michael Jordan mostly don’t want to answer. Sonia Justl and Mark Collins portray these affable but misguided representatives from our real world.
Not only are the cast and the show itself incredibly enjoyable to watch but the visual interpretation of the play is utterly stunning. The entirety of the play’s action takes place on Lilliput’s Beach. And there are some incredible visual gags that theatrically show the differing sizes of the cast members, such as Jordan blowing cigarette smoke into Phil’s face. Chicago native Sean Mallary returns as Catamount’s lighting designer, and the Lincoln Center’s Matthew Schlief provides incredible scenic and projection design.
Nicole Watts, whose work has been seen everywhere from Arvada Center for the Arts and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, lends her gifts to the production’s costumes. Her design marries the aesthetics of 1700s Great Britain with modern-day NBA in a delightfully surreal way.
The Catamounts have pulled out all the stops and brought together an incredible team for this show. The result is an incredibly theatrical, memorable new musical and a refreshing take on what it’s like to tell a story in a world where it seems like every story’s been told a thousand times. Delightful and a must-see.
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