Review: Upstream Theater's Startling Production of THE DEATH OF ATAHUALPA

I can always depend on Upsteam Theater to deliver a unique theatrical experience, and with the US premiere of The Death of Atahualpa they continue in the fine tradition they've firmly established, providing an audience with a fresh look at the last days of the Inca empire. Writer/director Philip Boehm has produced an engaging adaptation of this story that's buoyed considerably by the ensemble work of musicians Son de America, who give the play a distinctive voice with their spirited underscoring. The play also features an exceptional cast that fully invests themselves in this startling and enlightening presentation.

A small troupe of actors are guided in their actions by an announcer who tells us they will be undertaking The Death of Atahualpa on this occasion. The tale begins with the prophecies of the blind seer Waylla Wisa as he foretells of the coming invasion from Spain. Eventually, Pizarro and his men do land, and when attempts at communication between these two cultures proves futile, they seize Atahualpa and use him to control the Incas. His execution leads directly to the complete collapse of the Inca empire as chaos and pestilence sweep through the people after their valiant efforts are repelled.

William Grivna has the proper royal bearing and attitude as the proud and defiant Atahualpa. He also contributes some puppetry work as the King of Spain. Bethany Barr is equally up to task as the Princess, and R. Travis Estes does an extraordinary job as Waylla Wisa. Eric J. Conners is amusing in a variety of roles, adding a bit of humor to the proceedings when he decides to forgo his role as interpreter and become Pizarro himself. Amy Loui is effective as Awaq Warmi, an Andean woman working a loom (whose threads extend out into the actual stage) while caring for her small child. Her character offers up small fragments of Quechua poems that act to comment on the action that has just taken place on stage. Dennis Lebby is fairly solid as the announcer for the program, and also appears as the priest, Valverde.

Writer/director Philip Boehm has constructed another winning production with this cleverly mounted historical interpretation, and it's made that much more special by the inclusion of musicians Rafael Arriojas (cuatro, cajon, percussion), Juan Castizo (guitar) and Miguel Ticona (zampona, charango, quena) of Son de America, who carry the action along nicely with their atmospheric melodies. Patrick Huber's set provides a compact stage for the performers, as well as a representative wall of gold that allows for the appearance of puppets. Huber's lighting enhances the dramatic mood, and Michele Siler's costumes neatly conjure up the characters presented.

Upstream Theater's entertaining and intense presentation of The Death of Atahualpa is diverting and brilliant in its conception and execution. This production continues through April 17, 2011 at the Kranzberg Arts Center.