Interact Theater show at the Guthrie raises questions

Jeanne Calvit, artistic director of Interact Theater, has been very pleased with her latest show, "Northern Lights/Southern Cross: Tales from the Other Side of the World." "Isn't it amazing," she asked in a recent conversation, pointing to the fact that her company has had to add extra performances to a sold-out run that ends Sunday at the Guthrie. Well, I'm happy for her box-office success. And the excitement around the show is undeniable. But, artistically, I'm not so sure that "Northern Lights/Southern Cross" is all that amazing. Written by Kevin Kling and featuring beautiful music composed by Australian Pat Rix, the show has a cast of about 80 actors and performers. Just the friends and family members should pack the 200-seat Dowling Studio. When I saw "Northern Lights/Southern Cross" last week, a few things about the show gave me pause, including the premise. Kling, the gifted raconteur, tells of a character, not unlike himself, who has a life-changing motorcycle accident, something that befell him in 2001. The accident allows the character, Oki, to get in touch with romanticized indigenous cultures. In "Northern Lights/Southern Cross," those cultures are Aboriginal and Native American. Early in the show, nearly-naked Aboriginal performers appear. Then, later on, Native American performer Larry Yazzie does some fancy dancing in full regalia. You also have a number of Interact clients in the show – the company was formed to, among other things, help physically and mentally disabled people find avenues of artistic expression. Seeing the show, I was not sure if it was made for an audience so much as to provide opportunities for the clients to perform. And I was uncomfortable with the use of some of the performers. The moment you exit the elevator into the lobby, you are greeted by clown-nosed people in funny clothes. These client-performers later appear onstage. I cannot tell the mental state of the performers. But as I left "Northern Lights/Southern Cross," I had the uncomfortable feeling that the performers may or may not be self-aware and independent enough to be in that position. Let us know what you think about this show and the issues it raises. Go here for a review of the show by Star Tribune freelancer John Townsend.