Fallen Saints: Dark

Reviewed by Julia Stier
Force of Nature
Through August 24

In this offbeat production, Darkness (Gloria Galvan) reveals at the start that we, as humans, are born in the light and free of fear. But Darkness? Well, she’s got other sinister plans for us and our lives. Fallen Saints: Dark, written and directed by Sebastian Muñoz and Andy Shultz, is a journey through a lifetime of fears and dangers, both real and imaginary. It explores how, as we age and change, the darkness in our lives does as well.

As Darkness personified, Galvan brings a sense of glee to her destructive actions, while serving as the puppet-master of misery in the lives of the other ensemble members. The production deals with some dark topics, including suicide and sexual assault — but while things can get heavy, the ensemble does a wonderful job of respectfully exploring these difficult situations. While most of the actors convincingly express emotions, some occasionally seem to push too hard for tears. However, the ensemble (Anne Arreguin, Brian Hilarious, Danielle Swanson, Walter Kartman, Jonathan Agurcia) works as a united and cohesive unit. Arreguin especially is captivating to watch. During a scene that explores burnout in the workplace, she attempts to maintain her routine despite the physical toll it is taking on her. Watching her try to fight her oncoming depression rather than succumb to it is thrilling.

In other ways, the ensemble works to put the audience in the appropriate mindset. With the lights off, you can hear the performers creeping and crawling about, using hisses and snarls to create a mood-setting, nightmarish soundscape. Melissa Muñoz’s makeup design is stunning. She turns each actor into a gloriously made-up, though slightly twisted, china-doll-like figure. The result is a collection of beautiful yet grotesque-in-appearance actors who easily shift in and out of their roles to play a wide range of characters.

Observing slices of the darker side of life along with other audience members brings about a collective sense of unity. There is comfort in knowing that many of our fears are universal — a realization that deprives these terrors of some of their power over us.

The Belfry Stage, 11031 Camarillo Street, N. Hollywood, 91602; Fri.-Sat., 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.; through August 24. www.haunting.net/events2/fallen-saints-dark. Running time: approximately 48 minutes.