Insite

Homburg in rehearsal

When I interviewed director Jorge Cacheiro almost two months ago regarding his take on the then-upcoming production of Homburg, he told me, “I hope [the audience] leave[s] thinking about what they are seeing…and [are] intrigued.” Clearly, he achieved this goal—leaving the theater on opening night, I witnessed throngs of people discussing what they had just seen and debating what it all meant—all clearly moved by what they had just experienced.

And it is an experience—a gripping, dramatic, intense experience with an eeriness that pervades the entire piece. Even before the show begins, the scene is instantly set by a mysterious figure moving across the stage and appearing to quite literally write on the walls. We eventually learn that this man represents the play’s author, and it is through his eyes—and his words, as expressed in his real-life letters, which are read throughout the show—that we view the rest of the action in the play.

As if the interweaving of texts weren’t compelling enough on its own, the show utilizes a combination of technical elements that draws the audience right in, casting a dreamlike haze over the entire production.  The sweeping stage, dreamy lighting, echoing sounds, and incredibly effective use of music combine with the actors to create a breathtaking visual. What you will witness is a true work of art that encompasses so many different elements—but at its heart tells a beautiful, thought-provoking story with a profound message concerning order, individualism, and the conflict that lies therein.

Kelly Karcher is an MSU undergraduate in her third year of the B.F.A. Musical Theatre program. While at MSU, she has performed in several productions and most recently served as dramaturg for MSU’s Fall ‘08 production of Crazy for You.