Dragon Show: The Extended Tail
Reviewed by V Cate
Spy Brunch
Thru October 2nd
RECOMMENDED
Few humans have ever had the pleasure to see a fairy with their own two peepers. But as fate would have it, the magics have aligned, a mighty being has awoken, and a portal has opened in the garage space of an otherwise innocuous Los Feliz home.
Within a backyard garden space lies an enchanted meadow where a group of fae folk have assembled a curious party. Using unknown magic to grow to human-size and be seen by our mortal eyes, Cellar Door (played by director Katelyn Schiller), Scue-Me (Steve Bradford), Ohkay-bye (Mandy Rubeli), Myfoot’sAsleep (Shoshanna Ruth Green), and Pointy (Michaela Skaribas) invite you to explore and interact within their fantastical world.
Fun, games, and exploration aside, there are whispers of dragons … and dragons are a serious matter. The Knight (played by Mads Durbin) has witnessed unfathomable loss and destruction from The Veil — that’s the name of the Black Matter Dragon. This Paladin’s tale of sorrow has turned to a fierce resolve: they must defeat the dragon at all costs, along with anyone who stands in their way.
What makes this show particularly special is all there is to uncover, so no more plot spoilers will be provided here. There are a few more performers and creations that add to the festivities and deepen the connection to the world, but those are for audiences to discover.
As a production, Dragon Show: The Extended Tail is absolutely charming. Youthful in its performances and execution, and so utterly rich in its imagination and world-building, audience members must tap into their own child-like suspension of disbelief to get the most out of it. Truly, the show is a reminder that we would all do well to remember our wonder.
Doing a lot with a little and in a limited space, Schiller has led a whole slew of designers toward the cohesive creation of whimsical pieces. The puppetry and miniature sets are audaciously ambitious. For a moment, one might be forgiven for forgetting they’re not really visiting a fairy’s home or inside a dragon’s cave.
And it’s a musical! Written by Schiller & Nick Rheinwalk-Jones (who also did the original score and sound design) with music and lyrics by Weston Gaylord, the songs are catchy, informative, and just frequent enough to make you want more without overstaying their welcome.
From a production standpoint, some of it is a bit messy. The most important thing for an immersive show is that participants understand the rules of the world. And while the rules of safety were made clear on the performance night reviewed, it was at times slightly befuddling when trying to figure out what to do. For the most part, the cast was swift to rectify any confusion. However, a sorting, a group of riddles, and a climactic puzzle were all either a tad clunky, or wound up being irrelevant. Meanwhile, it was not entirely clear where was appropriate to venture and where not.
Still, fae fellowship is a grand thing, and if show-goers relax into make-believe, they just might be able to discourse with their own imagination long enough to remember that mortal life is precious but all too serious without a bit of fun and dreaming.
Spy Brunch, performed at a private residence in Los Feliz (location provided upon ticket purchase); Thurs-Sun 8pm; https://spybrunch.ticketleap.com/dragon-show-extended; Running time: 2 Hours, no intermission.
