Nice Pickup

Part II of Hitchhiker's Guide is disappointing only in that there's no Part III on the schedule.

by Mark Cofta

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Published: Mar 20, 2007

Ayear ago, West Philly's Curio Theatre Company presented a "stage adaptation" — really a reading with visuals and music — of Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, billing the first four episodes of Adams' 1978 radio scripts (material that became novels, a television series and a feature film) as Part I. I was less than enthusiastic when I saw Part II on this season's schedule, but having seen it I'm disappointed there's no third chapter planned for next year.

Director Jared Reed presents the further adventures of ordinary human Arthur Dent; his alien pal, Ford Prefect; and their all-knowing talking book, with more style. The three performers, who also play many other beings, still read at music stands, which now are decorated with nifty banners and centered on the intimate Calvary Center chapel's stage, with Nonthaporn and Ray Saunders' Terry Gilliam-ish animations projected behind them for a more coherent picture.

Perhaps that's why I enjoyed not only the cast's dexterity with voices and accents, but also their connections with one another — because I could see them and their cartoonish illustrations simultaneously. Only Jerry Rudasill remains from last year's trio, but Jennifer Summerfield and Liam Castellan pick up admirably where Susan Jude and Drew Peterson left off.

They're costumed in lurid '70s style by Aetna Gallagher: Summerfield features gold skirt and boots, Castellan dons a baby blue ruffled tuxedo shirt from my closet circa 1977 and Rudasill sports orange cords, purple shirt, black vest and an afro. They're outer space's mod squad, complete with groovy dance numbers between episodes to Peterson's witty accompaniment, which combines surfer guitar riffs with squishy melodies from old arcade video games.

Jumping in at episode five challenges the uninitiated, but Adams' scripts include recaps, and, let's face it, most drawn to THGTTG already know the story: Supercomputer Deep Thought reveals the answer to "Life, the Universe, and Everything," but not the Ultimate Question ...

It's all an intergalactic hoot, leaving those who enjoy Adams' Python-esque humor (either you love it, or you don't) wanting more. Could fans request marathon performances of future scripts? It's worth a try. For now, enjoy these episodes — and don't panic.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Part II

Through April 7, Curio Theatre Company, Calvary Center, 4740 Baltimore Ave., 215-525-1350, www.curiotheatre.org.

 

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