Taking things for granted can have harsh consequences and for some, like Dark Side of Saturn’s musical Key of E’s lead character Ethan (Corey Volence), it takes a rockin’ apocalypse to realize what he has in life.
Key of E – Image courtesy of Dark Side of Saturn
Ethan has his demons. He loves to drink, get rowdy and sing about the end times and what makes his punk-rock temper boil while making his girlfriend Joslyn (Marisa Quijano) upset when she’s ready to leave a bar.
Ethan (Corey Volence) presents a rockin’ performance during Key of E.
Photo by Emily Gilbert
A huge flood causes havoc after one of Ethan’s drunken escapades and changes his life forever. The props during the flood scenes were wonderful, vivid visualizations. The car with the headlights on and swerving out of control during the flood in the darkness was believable and had you experience what it may have been like behind the wheel. Underwear and bras hanging from a sheet, which had a clothes-line feel as well as garbage moving as if it was underwater was a nice touch. The debris that washed up on the shore as part of the set dressing was a junk collector and survivor’s dream come true.
Wounded castaway Ethan is faced with being stranded on a deserted island. His mind plays tricks on him but tries to help him realize that he’s a jerk and how he can be a better boyfriend and person overall. He also confronts his psyche, The Id, which is a huge monster with red eyes during the performance.
Ethan (Corey Volence) attempts to survive on a deserted island in Key of E.
Photo by Emily Gilbert
Director and in-person narrator Andy Matchett was a humorous interlude. He rocked out in the beginning of the performance and kept the story’s humorous pace flowing. Volence and Quijano sang their hearts out with excellent vocal delivery and the musical’s band was tight with perfect tempo.
Ethan (Corey Volence) and Joslyn (Marisa Quijano) sing a duet during Key of E.
Photo by Emily Gilbert
The script was also brilliant and hilarious, and included funny, armageddon references to The Walking Dead and Waterworld.
Narrator Andy Matchett rocks out during Key of E.
Photo by Emily Gilbert
Kudos to Matchett for the story and rockin’ tunes and Volence for writing the script. These two collaborators accomplished an amazing feat as well performed in their own musical. This duo should mind meld more often, and who knows what other musical masterpieces will transpire when their creative juices are flowing.
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