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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Moby Dick Also see Gil's reviews of Gloria, Treasure Island, and Pretty Woman: The Musical
Like the book, the story follows Ishmael, a restless wanderer who signs aboard the whaling ship Pequod in search of purpose and adventure. There he encounters a diverse crew and the ship's obsessive captain, Ahab, whose singular mission is to hunt down the elusive white whale that once maimed him. As the voyage unfolds, Ishmael forms a bond with the harpooner Queequeg, while the crew, including the realistic Stubb, becomes increasingly entangled in Ahab's dangerous quest. The journey grows more perilous as obsession begins to eclipse reason, propelling them toward an inevitable and fateful confrontation. Even in this condensed format, which was commissioned in 1991 by the Idaho Theater for Youth, Rosenwinkel manages to preserve many of the novel's major themes. Obsession, fate, the force of nature, and the fragility of human ambition all resonate strongly throughout the piece. While many of Melville's supporting characters are streamlined, combined, or omitted entirely, many of their narrative functions are thoughtfully absorbed into the remaining roles, ensuring that the story never feels diminished. The addition of a few well-placed musical numbers enhances the storytelling, lending emotional depth and a heightened theatricality that underscores the characters' inner lives and their shared mission without overwhelming the narrative. The cast of four leans fully into their distinctive roles, creating a rich and varied ensemble. Braden Wahl serves as both participant and observer as Ishmael, his curiosity and introspection grounding the story, while Keath Hall, as Ahab, brings a commanding intensity that makes his obsession both terrifying and tragically human. As Queequeg, Justin Hosten brings a quiet strength and spiritual calm, forming the emotional heart of the piece, and Tom Mangum provides a necessary counterbalance with his humor and rational views as Stubb. Mangum also delivers polished guitar accompaniment on all of the songs. Lee Cooley's direction works beautifully to create a sense of intimacy, frequently staging scenes close to the audience to pull the audience in to the narrative. The musical sequences are dynamic and fluid, filled with movement that evokes the comradery of the crew, the feeling of the rolling sea, and the physical demands of life aboard a ship. The impressive set by Tiana Torrilhon, combined with Stacey Walston's magnificent lighting and Jacob Nichols' fantastic sound design, are particularly effective, immersing the audience in the sights and noises of the Pequod and the vast, unpredictable ocean beyond, making it easy to feel as though you are right there with the crew. The period costumes by Angee Lewandowski and hair and makeup designs by Shelly Trujillo, especially Queequeg's hair and tattoos, help to flesh out the characters. Beau Heckman's props add to the immersive feeling, although the whale puppet takes a little imagination to flesh out its skinny look into a large-scale mammal. However, when the crew are flensing it to remove the blubber, it is quite effective. My only other quibbles with the adaptation and this production are that, unless you know the source material, you may think there are only four individuals on the ship when in reality in Melville's novel there are dozens more, and Cooley has added in an intermission, which for a 75-minute show threatens to stop the flow of the action with an unnecessary break. Fortunately, Rosenwinkel's adaptation is a triumph of simplicity and imagination and proof that many times, less is more. Southwest Shakespeare's production of Moby Dick captures the essence of Melville's book while offering a fresh, engaging theatrical experience with a gifted cast and superb creative elements that prove even an expansive story can be told with power and precision on the smallest of stages. Moby Dick runs through April 4, 2026, at the Mesa Arts Center, 1 E Main St, Mesa AZ. For tickets and information, please visit swshakespeare.org or call 480-644-6500 Director: Lee Cooley Cast: |
