Trinity Theatre Company Brings "35MM A Musical Exhibition" to the Stage

 A Fresh Production with Amazing Vocals

A Blog View by Alejandra Enciso-Dardashti

Jaq Quisido and Phoenix Velona. Photo Courtesy Trinity Theatre.

I was talking with Trinity's Artistic Director Sean Boyd in our latest Interview From Another Zero, YouTube Edition, on how sometimes, certain audiences need a beginning and an end to a piece, and have a resolution. Well, the beauty in art is interpretation and how the work can have different meanings and impacts for different people.

35mm: A Musical Exhibition made its world premiere at Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn, New York on March 12, 2012. With Music and Lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver, based on photographs by photographer icon, Matthew Murphy. Like the tagline for the show says "A picture is worth 1,000 words — what about a song?". Fifteen pictures are projected throughout the almost two-hour piece with a 15-minute intermission while the songs are performed. Between the pictures and the titles of the songs, one can truly grasp the creativity and interpretation as there is no direct correlation per se, which opens a whole mental rabbit hole that curiously, is light and entertaining. 

Boyd directs the piece with a talented San Diego cast that has no weak link or in this case, -voice- as all the artists have great, well-handled, modulated vocals guided by Michael Anthony's musical direction. There are beautiful harmonies between Ethan Cruz and Jaq Quisido, Mia Dawson, Phoenix Velona, and Connor Boyd in songs like On Monday, Make Me Happy, the intermission breaker Leave Luanne, the gospelly Mama, Let Me In, Why Must We Tell Them Why with a pop-ie, fast-paced, and catchy vibe, the sensual Twisted Teeth amongst others. The actors also deliver the steps dancing cool head-bopping choreographies.

The cast of 35mm: A Musical Exhibition. Photo Courtesy Trinity Theatre

Trinity Theatre has a substantial stage space that runs wide. Dennis Floyd's all-black set design combines reliefs to add volume and empty picture frames, which adds a smart touch. Boyd's blockage has actors using the whole space throughout the different song interpretations while dancing, singing with mic pedestals, or sitting on the squared reliefs. The picture projections happen on the sides and in the middle so no angle is missed. Mashun Tucker's lighting design is colorful, fun, and very fitting to the framing of the piece having fuchsia, yellow, and green amongst others.

35MM proves a fun time at the theatre to share with family, friends, and/or the significant other. It truly feels like going to a museum and seeing an exhibition but, with music, and, dance. 

I am looking forward to seeing these artists in future productions to come. 

This coming weekend will host their closing performances with Chloe Grace Cruz swinging for Mia Dawson.

Performances run from Friday through Sunday. To purchase tickets, please click HERE