Theater Review: Animals Out of Paper

Tonight we went to the Ensemble Theater, "dedicated to the responsible production of works that celebrate the human spirit drawn from the rich cannon of modern American classics as well as other significant contemporary plays." http://www.ensemble-theatre.com.  We saw their production of "Animals Out of Paper," by Rajiv Joseph (Pulitzer Prize finalist and fellow Cleveland Heights High alum) and directed by Celeste Cosentino.

Three people in pain: a lonely high school teacher who is an origami fan,  a grieving teen with a intuitive ability to fold anything, and a world famous origami artist on the skids, collide in a way that will change them all. It was a wonderfully written and moving piece for three actors within the unusual setting of an origami studio and exploring the more usual themes of love, loss and human vulnerability. The acting and direction were excellent and the performance was riveting. The second act was an hour long and I couldn't believe when curtain call came because I was certain it had been only 20 minutes—and I have a very accurate internal clock most of the time. Dialogue was pitch perfect, I may pick it up to read.

Gruesome Playground Injuries; Animals Out of Paper; Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo: Three Plays by Rajiv Joseph

The theater itself is a black box theater with three-sided seating in a former elementary school, the old Coventry School, itself a landmark school in the personal histories of many people I know. All around the small concession stand and on tables in the back were many pieces of elaborate origami: animals and insects and dinosaurs and colorfully layered geometric shapes. At intermission we handled, examined and admired more kinds of origami than I have ever seen in one place. And we also had the privilege of speaking with Celeste, the young and enthusiastic director. She explained that all the origami for the show had been generously mailed to her in one giant box from a previous production in Maine.

Tickets were quite reasonable and Ensemble offers a very accommodating flex package. We will be back for more!