Shadow of Himself

Written by Neal Bell

Directed by Edward Elefterion

Access Theater Gallery

380 Broadway, 4th Floor

212-352-3101

 

Review by Carly Dahlen

  

Claws and Effect: Mark Cajigao and Matt W. Cody in Neal Bell's Shadow of Himself.

 

What do Anderson Cooper, cargo khaki pants and a 7th century B.C. epic have in common? All are featured in the eccentric Rabbit Hole Ensemble production of Shadow of Himself — a 21st century allegory about masculinity, power and mortality.

 

Shadow of Himself — inspired by The Epic of Gilgamesh — follows Gil (Matt W. Cody), a godlike king who finds himself questioning his ruthless ruling tactics when he finds a worthy counterpart in a monster-turned-mortal named NK (Mark Cajigao). As the two embark on a journey to kill the legendary monster Humbaba, Gil and NK face extreme adversity from the gods, ultimately resulting in a significant sacrifice. Through this misfortune, Gil ultimately learns what is most important in life: meaningful connections with others.

 

Sparse costumes, limited props, human-made sound effects and a nearly nonexistent set counterbalance the epic nature of the story. Rabbit Hole’s minimalist aesthetic, though counterintuitive to such a grand narrative, works in this production. Perhaps no other approach to the stagecraft could allow audiences to comprehend such a massive, fantastical story.

 

The production features impressive acting by the five cast members. While Cody and Cajigao give engrossing performances as the play’s leads, supporting cast members Daniel Ajl Kitrosser and Adam Swiderski also make notable impressions — especially in their portrayals of wild animals in a growling match. Emily Hartford provides a neutralizing presence amid the pervasive virility with her tender approach to the various female characters.

 

While showcasing innovative technical approaches and captivating performances, Shadow of Himself fails to engage audiences with its fundamental message. The play’s cerebral language and whimsical narrative hinders its ability to provide a clear, relatable moral with which we can connect. The modern allegory becomes lost amidst the high art, and initially curious spectators leave the production less inspired by the parable and more confused by the content.