In my small town growing up, there was a country road named for Nicola Tesla. I suppose I’m one of a few who knows he was one of the most important inventors at the turn of the 20th Century, or why Elon Musk names his electric vehicle after the scientist.
No reason to wonder anymore!
Now two versatile and inventive artists have united to bring the life of Nicola Tesla into the limelight. Billy Larkin (composer) brings his considerable talent to tell the story of the genius, while lyricist Ron Boustead brings a varied background in television to fashion this fanciful, yet revealing, tale of Tesla (played by Thomas Winter) and Electra (Devyn Rush), his muse. While the music itself is memorable, it is the imaginative approach to Tesla’s life that elevates it above a more usual musical approach. In this tale, the Greek gods are culpable for Telsa’s trajectory, beginning with his birth in a lightning storm. The Goddess Electra becomes his muse…and his curse.
Director Jon Lawrence Rivera makes the most of a two-tiered setting designed by Christopher Scott Murillo that separates the Gods from we humble humans. And what an assemblage they are! Athena (Nina Kasuya) rules the roost, while Promethius (Patrick Munoz) is still made to suffer because he gave fire to humans. Dionysus (Emir Levi) plays the protective brother to Electra’s willful capers, including her attraction to Tesla.
All this unfolds as we learn the true story of Tesla himself, who suffered blinding “flashes of light” headaches, all the while conjecturing a new method of transmitting electric currents via long distances. But then, you have to see the musical!
The artists here, led by Artistic Director, Matthew Cook, have concocted a tuneful, true-to-life depiction of a little-known, little understood scientist that makes a great contribution to the musical world. As Tesla, Thomas Winter’s vocals shimmer, while the lighting effects by Wesley Charles Chew enabled by projections by Lily Bartenstein help us understand the pain of his stabs of blinding light. As Electra, Devyn Rush portrays a charismatic temptress who best expresses the kind of obsession needed for discovery. The combination of mythology with science creates just the right tone for Tesla’s inventions. While the musical runs just a bit long, you’ll learn a lot, and what’s more, you’ll enjoy every minute!
Flashes of Light has only a few more performance this weekend through Monday, June 9th: Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., Sunday at 4 p.m and Monday at 8 p.m.. through June 9th at The Sierra Madre Playhouse, located at 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd in Sierra Madre, CA 91024. Tickets range from $12 – $45, For tickets and information, please call 626.355.4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org.
