Honestly, I had mixed feeling about seeing King of Pangea at the Aurora Theatre yesterday. This story follows twenty-one year old Christopher Crow on a journey back to Pangea, the imaginary island of his childhood, in search of answers to help him heal from his mother's death. Death is still a raw subject for me after losing my teenage daughter, so I worried that this show would be depressing and open old wounds. But nothing could be further from reality.
This is a poignant story of a son's journey from anger and withdrawal toward healing and hope. The music ranges from hauntingly beautiful to riotously funny! Yes, there are hilarious scenes and a lot of witty comments scattered throughout. Elijah, played by Barry Stoltze, is the comic relief in this show and he was masterful. I loved his song Everyone I Love Is Dead and also The Curriculum duet he shared with Logan Corley, who played Christopher. Both were very funny.
The six actors were all perfect for their roles... each with amazing voices. Riley McCool, who plays the young Christopher Crow, brings a level of acting and singing maturity far beyond his young age. The sets, costumes and lighting were exactly enough to spark your imagination without being distracting from the story.
This is a very thought provoking show. Our parents and education prepare us for all of life's usual events... careers, marriages, parenting, etc. But, I speak from personal experience, when I say that our society woefully prepares us for the one thing we all go through at some time and which is usually the most devastating event in our lives. It is just rarely spoken about at school, church or home. So when death inevitably comes into our lives, we stumble though our grief alone and we carry these emotional scars the rest of our lives.
This story shows a different way. It's a story about a journey through grief and the way to move forward with our memories toward hope for the future.
I strongly encourage you to see this show and bring your children (and parents) with you if possible. My hope is that it would be a springboard for more open family discussions about dealing with the death of a loved one and coping with all of the emotions that accompany that grief.
Although it deals with a hard subject, overall this is a very entertaining and uplifting show that I think your whole family, ages 8 and up, would enjoy. I certainly did!
| DISCLAIMER: I was pleased to be the guest of the Horizon Theatre. I received no other compensation and as always, the opinions expressed are my own. |
This regional premiere musical, written by Martin Storrow was initially conceived as a fantastical story set on an imaginary island, but the musical evolved into a heartfelt narrative that blends realism with whimsy, creating a deeply resonant and unique theatrical experience. “King of Pangea" offers audiences a fresh, exhilarating experience,” said Storrow. “By weaving together elements of fantasy and personal history, I hope to share a story that touches everyone, whether they’re seasoned musical theatre fans or newcomers to the genre.”
According to Ann-Carol Pence, Artistic Producing Director of the Aurora Theatre, "by producing this musical, we hope to inspire a conversation about living and dying. King of Pangea is about the incredible embrace of a mother to her child. It is the joy; it is the despair, all of it wrapped up in a messy, beautiful musical that author Martin Storrow imagined. I guarantee that after you see this show, you will stare at the stars, longing to know which star is named for you.”
Click HERE for more information about the show.
Performances
King of Pangea runs January 23 - February 16, 2025 at Aurora Theatre.
Ticket Information
Tickets start at $32 and are on sale now at auroratheatre.com or by calling the box office at 678.226.6222.
