Up

Larry Walters, Photo: Associated Press 1983

In 1982, Larry Walters tied 45 helium weather balloons to a lawn chair and rose 16,000 feet above Los Angeles, scaring an airline pilot in the process. It's a fantasy come true that has been repeated a number of times since and never ceases to amaze.

The regional premiere of Bridget Carpenter's Up, now running at Curious Theatre Company, is an exploration of what happens when someone returns from such a journey, not unlike what happens with many astronauts, who come back changed persons (as we saw earlier this year in the DCTC world premiere of When Tang Met Laika).

Eric Sandvold as Walter Griffin Photo: Michael Ensminger

In Carpenter's script, Walter Griffin (Eric Sandvold) had such a trip, early in his marriage to Helen (Mare Trevathan). About sixteen years later, we're told that the Smithsonian is interested in acquiring the famous chair. Meanwhile, Walter is still looking for another opportunity to renew the feeling from his fanciful flight, while Helen serves as the breadwinner with her job at the postal service.

Mare Trevathan as Helen Griffin Photo: Michael Ensminger

Their son, Mikey, is a smart, but painfully shy, sophomore in high school, who is befriended by a pregnant classmate, Maria (Misha Johnson), and her shrewd, occult-flavored Aunt Chris (Martha Harmon Pardee).

Sean Mellott as Mikey Griffin and Misha Johnson as Maria Photo: Michael Ensminger

The story folds in on itself in so many ways and with so many symmetries as to render the plot holographic, which requires some distance to fully absorb. These parallels largely involve illusions—imaginary friends, the value of money, the nature of meaningful work, et al—and the chamelion nature of the personality. The metaphorical possibilities of a man who gets to fly like the birds are limitless, yet Carpenter does not belabor this; our need to transcend the illusory basis of current organizational norms pops out in every detail of the play, as it does in our daily lives.

Martha Harmon Pardee as Aunt Chris Photo: Michael Ensminger

Sandvold mines a natural vein in which the parameters of Walter's imaginary world gradually take hold in reality, while Trevathan digs deeps roots in the values that bind Helen to family, jobs, money, and security. Mellott draws on an impressive array of resources in navigating Mikey through a series of striking changes.

Johnson brings just the right mix of gravity, street smarts, and vulnerability to Maria, the part-orphaned, perpetual new kid at school. Martha Harmon Pardee is a marvel as the new age confidence woman, Aunt Chris, who uses her magnetism to empower and disempower, depending on the ethical needs of the moment. Brian Landis Folkins is a whimsical presence as Philippe, the ephemeral high wire artist.

Brian Landis Folkins as Philippe Petit Photo: Michael Ensminger

Director Chip Walton's staging, with assists from his crew, overcomes considable technical challenges to deliver an inventive and thoughtful journey. Curious Theatre Company's production of Up runs through June 18th. 303-623-0524 or curioustheatre.org.

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