Hermanntology / The War of the Worlds

Reviewed by Paula Citron

Hermanntology
Composed by Dan Parr (based on film music of Bernard Hermann)
Conducted by Andrew Burashko
Live film mix by Tess Girard

The War of the Worlds
Written by Howard Koch
Directed by Andrew Burashko
Performed by Don McKellar, Nicholas Campbell and Marc Bendavid (with Foley by John Gzowski)
World Stage/Art of Time Ensemble
Enwave Theatre
Mar. 31 to Apr. 3, 2011

The Art of Time Ensemble is an innovative multidisciplinary company. Artistic director Andrew Burashko’s latest show is truly inspired.

The first half is a musical pastiche of the film scores of Bernard Hermann composed and arranged by Dan Parr, and called, delightfully, Hermanntology. Hermann worked for, most notably, director Alfred Hitchcock.

Tess Girard put together scenes from the movies, but played with them in creative ways such as superimposing, kaleidoscope, double images, negative reversal, and repetition. Burashko conducted the mostly winds, brass and percussion.

The second half is a faithful rendering of Orson Welles’ 1938 Mercury Theatre production of The War of the Worlds, written by Howard Koch, and based on H.G. Wells’ story. The radio play inspired panic as people thought Martians were invading.

It was fun to watch Foley artist John Gzowski do the sound effects. Burashko directed actors Nicholas Campbell and Marc Bendavid with Don McKellar playing Welles.

Art of Time Ensemble continues at the Enwave Theatre until Apr. 3.