Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
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Tarocco, the new show staged by Asheville’s Fox and Beggar Theater at the Orange Peel this weekend is one not to miss.
The work, conceptualized by Nat Allister, is a blend of theater and circus performance. It draws inspiration from tarot cards and commedia dell’arte. The story is set during World War I. Magic and aerial arts and dance and even a little poetry slam are intermingled as well. An “Asheville” show if there ever was one.
Edwin Arnaudin does a fine job of describing the show with more intricacy for Mountain Xpress here.
Safe from the elements on The Orange Peel stage, the contributions of Allister’s “dream team” of artists and volunteers shine in ways they never could outside. Among the many brilliant minds involved in the show are Donovan Zimmerman of the renowned Saxapahaw-based troupe Paperhand Puppet Intervention and set designer Travis Eagledove, whose creations for the show include a 10-foot-tall medieval alchemical wheel that may be spun to simulate a Tarot reading. Arborist Forest Kelly, who’s in charge of the show’s aerial rigging, custom-welded Allister an aerial toy that he says has never before been seen in Asheville.
Also part of the crew is video artist Daniel Sabio, creator of a piece of digital animation that will interact with the dancers on stage; local puppeteer Madison Cripps, who’s engineered a piece for the show’s final scene; and Sneaky McFly, who helped design a bit of stage magic that Allister says “should make the audience scratch their heads no matter how many times they see it.”
The show is enchanting and delightful. The narrative thread is thin, but it works. A few of the performances could stand to step it up a notch, and it’s too bad the players couldn’t have real fire-spinning on stage, but the overall effect is one that will enthrall. The live music accompanying the on-stage performances is amazing.
Photos by Tempus Fugit Design. Tickets for Tarocco at the Orange Peel here.
