Review: SOLARIS at Book-It Repertory Theatre

One thing that can be said about Book-It Repertory Theatre, Dear Readers, is that they know how to surprise and thrill.  Their 2016 productions of “The Brothers K” still live rent free in my head.  So, when I heard they were tackling a novel such as Stanislaw Lem’s “Solaris”, currently playing at the Center Theater, I was dubious but excited.  Taking on this Sci-Fi/thriller/love story is not an easy thing to do.  It’s been attempted many times including a few movies, the most recent in 2002 with George Clooney, but to put the Solaris Space Station up on stage sounded like a stretch.  But then, I did say they always surprise, and they did this time, as well as thrill.

This new adaptation by David Greig of Lem’s novel delves much further into the interpersonal dynamics of the visitors than I previously recall from the other incarnations.  Set on a space station orbiting the mysterious planet Solaris, Dr. Kris Kelvin (Jay Woods) has arrived to check in on the crew.  Communications have been down for a while, and they are nearing the end of their almost two-year stint aboard.  When she arrives, she finds that all is not well or even in the realm of normal operations.  The commander of the mission, Gibrarian (Jim Gall), is dead, and the two remaining crew, Drs. Snow and Sartorius (Brandon Ryan and Alexandra Tavares), have been receiving regular visitors in the forms of deceased loved ones.  It’s not long until Dr. Kelvin begins to see the mysterious child (Zoey Matthews on the night I saw) wandering the corridors, and encounters her own visitor, her former lover Ray (Ian Bond).  But just how real are these manifestations from the planet and what do they want?

Director Gus Menary has crafted the evening with just the right amount of otherworldly tension to emphasize just how creepy these visitors are and how that creepiness is counterbalanced with their human desire to reconnect with past loved ones.  And that tone is beautifully amplified with the technical aspects of the piece.  The set from Jessica and Benjamin Radin perfectly presents how big the station is, and at the same time how tight and isolated with just a few signs indicating which area we are in as well as the wonderful Sci-Fi sliding doors (complete with “woosh” sound).  And speaking of the sounds, beyond that wonderful “woosh” each time they enter or exit, sound designer Kyle Thompson adds to the creep factor with a constant thrumming emanating from the planet and when added to Dani Norberg’s haunting lighting, Josh Aaseng’s fantastic video content, and Ahren Buhmann’s ever present yet never obtrusive projections, the tension of the piece never relents. 

The cast put together by Menary is a fabulous collection of local cream of the crop.  Gall may only ever show up on video, but those videos convey so much of the story and amp up the emotion of the situations perfectly.  Ryan and Tavares are fantastic counterpoints to each other.  The wisecracking Ryan with his wonderful askew view of all that’s happening and Tavares with her by the book attitude, both brilliantly show off the worn-down nature of these characters.  They give a pitch perfect example of different ways people can cope with extreme situations.  And Matthews may not speak during the show, but they manage that haunting blend of childlike wonder and absolute terror in a striking way.

But the relationship between Woods and Bond is what makes this story what it is.  They have great chemistry together, sure, but it’s the volatile nature of their relationship that they communicate so well that makes them a joy to watch, as we anticipate something to go wrong at each turn.  Bond brings in his own innocence to the role while being the charismatic party boy for Woods to latch onto.  And I must mention some stunning staging/fight choreography from Harry Todd Jamieson, that Bond expertly executes.  But it’s Woods who has to keep this story on track as the outsider suddenly thrust in the middle and she bears the burden well.  She’s ever present and engaged and keeps the audience engaged as well making us care for her journey and understand her eventual outcome, however extreme it may be.

This is simply another thrilling surprise from Book-It.  It may feel a bit on the long side, clocking in at two and a half hours, but they manage to make that fly by.  And so, with my three-letter rating system, I give Book-It Repertory Theatre’s production of “Solaris” an out of this world YAY.  And it looks like they have more thrills coming, looking at their upcoming season.  Can’t wait for more.

“Solaris” from Book-It Repertory Theatre performs at the Center Theater through July 9th.  For tickets or information visit them online at www.book-it.org.

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