ROCKET MAN and KALEIDOSCOPE, by Ray Bradbury
Silver Venue, find showtimes
David Lee is out of this world.
Rocket Man & Kaleidoscope, By Ray Bradbury is a simple concept: one actor, David Lee, reciting two short stories written by the master of science fiction, Ray Bradbury.
Not a fan of Bradbury’s writing, I was a little nervous about what to expect. Upon entering the theater I looked at the set and saw a blank screen and a chair and I thought, “What in Fringe hell have I gotten myself into?!”
After a Fringe voice-over from Real Radio 104.1’s Moira, the lights dimmed and David Lee began to speak. I was immediately captivated. The screen lit up and a set that seemed so simple became the beautiful backdrop to David Lee’s stellar performance. His ability to guide you on a journey with his words is stunning. I found myself engulfed in the story, and for the first time in the many years I have attended the festival I forgot I was at a Fringe show. I forgot there was an audience in the room.
On a technical note, the one man show did an exceptional job at creating the illusion that one character was floating in space (not an easy feat). In addition, the lighting created long, haunting shadows of his fingers across his body as if they were the manifestation of his struggles pulling him through space. Simply amazing!
David Lee brilliantly transformed two stories about space into two stories of the complexity of human relationships both within our own minds and with those we share this life. It’s no wonder David Lee was Critic’s Choice for “Best Male Performance” and People’s Choice Award “Best in Venue” in 2015.
