Cliff Williamson’s new musical The Boy From Antimatter blasted off at Lincoln School last weekend with all the fizz of a science experiment gone gloriously right.
Performed April 23 through 25 under directors Cliff Williamson and Kelly Williamson, the show follows E-Bob, played with swagger and soul by Victor Pliszka – a rebellious teen from the Antimatter-Dimension who takes his mental powers for granted.
To teach him humility, his parents – Carolina Estrada and Michael Connery as Mrs. and Mr. Neuquén – send him through a portal to the Matter-Dimension with his faithful, scene-stealing dog Krab (Eden Keinan) to swap places with his matter-dimension counterpart, Bobby.
The portal’s gatekeeper, Kelly Williamson, used sharp nuance to capture the clash between dimensions. Guided by his grandfather Bo-Pa – Tim Wilkins delivering odd wisdom and perfect timing – E-Bob confronts his flaws.
The music, by Lonnie McRorey and Alejandro Caputo, and lyrics by Cliff Williamson and Jennifer Griffith are the real engine here. The score shifts from punchy pop-rock anthems to tender ballads without losing momentum. Musical Director Sebastián Aldea and Vocal Director Nacho Pelaez led a tight live ensemble and choir that gave the songs real lift.
Produced by Martin Holtz, Sara Zohoré and Valentín Sanchez, the production was resourceful, using inventive design to contrast the everyday with the otherworldly. The costumes were a particular highlight, defining each dimension with distinct, creative choices.
The cast was uniformly talented, with Noam Brin, Kelly Williamson, Maggie Brennan, Santiago Mendez, Oratile Modibedi, Mia Saad and Trini Massone rounding out the ensemble. The audience was all-in – laughing, gasping, and leaving humming.
Funny, ambitious, and disarmingly honest, The Boy From Antimatter trades superpowers for real ones: family, friends, and being part of something bigger. A premiere that felt like a revelation.
by Tom Sutherland
Comments