Children's Theatre Company's '20,000 Leagues' aims to be an adventure
When young people who visit the Children's Theatre Company step into its elevator this week, they'll be doing so as members of the audience. But by the time they leave its doors, they will be ensigns in a top secret organization.
"As a member of the elite international naval force code named Orka you are the lifeline for humanity in that living infinite," audience members learn from a video as they ride up in the elevator when they arrive.
As ensigns in Orka, young people leaving the elevator will help capture an international criminal — the notorious Captain Nemo.
Nemo is a central character in the Children's Theatre's new immersive adaptation of Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues under the Sea." To win the day, audience members will need running shoes and their thinking caps.
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Director Ryan Underbakke, who co-wrote the script, wanted the production to be intense and real.
"That was really important to me, to make a kids show that's not for kids," he said.
As the elevator doors open, an officer summons those who have arrived to their mission.
"Ensigns! Right this way," he says.
In groups of about 20, the new recruits — grade-schoolers and a few adults — enter a room filled with stern-looking people in uniform. Some of the children look nervous, others excited.
"Ensigns! The briefing must be swift because time is of the essence," barks Lt. Elizabeth Lowshack, the mission commander.
The recruits soon learn that they are seeking the Nautilus, the world's most-advanced submarine.
"This, Ensigns, is what has been sinking our ships," Lowshack tells them.
Hundreds of people died in the sinkings, all ordered by the submarine's commander.
"Nemo," intones the commander. "No country of origin, no history. She has no past."
Yes, this Captain Nemo is a woman. After being warned about the dire consequences of being separated from the group, the crew rides down to the Stingray, the vessel on which they will begin their adventure.
"Ensigns, you are here because you are the best of the best," the commander tells them. "Should we fail today, we may never get another chance. Only through your skill and expertise will we succeed."
For the next 40 minutes or so, the ensigns dodge and weave through corridors and passages as they pursue their mission. They see amazing machines and help solve problems. But they also meet people who claim Nemo is really a hero who protects the world by fighting monsters from the deep.
"Ancient, capable of unspeakable horror," says one man they find. "The Nautilus keeps those things at bay. Nemo protects us!"
The crew pushes on. Sometimes they creep quietly. But not for long.
"Intruders detected," a robot voice calmly announces. The commander leaps into action.
"I hear it! Run!" Loschak orders. "Everybody run!"
The production has proved a big hit with actors and audience members.
"I have never done anything like this before in my 43 years at this theater," said Gerry Drake, an actor who plays the admiral of the Orka force.
He loves the audience reaction to the play.
"Young people like life and death stories," Drake said. "That's what it's about."
The style of the show also is new to Jane Froiland, who plays Captain Nemo.
"I feel like I am a part of the best ride ever or the most amazing video game ever," she said. "Except that it's real life and it's really happening. I will never experience anything like this again ... It's amazing."
This show allows actors and audience to move through the plot and the locations together, in close proximity.
Dean Holt, who plays Professor Pierre Aronnax, a scientist and marine biologist apparently kidnapped by Nemo, enjoys acting inches from the crowd.
"It's a different experience when the audiences is sitting in seats, listening that way versus being right next to you in the room," said Holt, whose character the ensigns meet in a mysterious Victorian style room during their travels. "So it allows you to do a lot more detail work."
As the "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" production builds to a standoff, the ensigns must choose between two options of how the play ends. They have to determine Captain Nemo's fate and possibly the world's.
It's taken four years to develop the production. After talking to audience members following a string of workshops, Underbakke honed the script to make the final audience choice very tough.
During the workshops, the ensigns overwhelmingly voted for a somewhat surprising ending. As a result, Underbakke said, the show is slightly different than he originally envisioned. He hopes the choice is harder.
"I was really interested in a real world question," Underbakke said. "I really wanted children — back to that idea of not talking down to them — to answer a question that is difficult."
If you go
What: The Children's Theatre Company's new immersive adaptation of Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues under the Sea" is a 45-minute experience recommended for grades 3-8. All performances will accommodate mobility devices. Slower-paced shows are available.
When: July 7 to Aug. 23
Where: 2400 3rd Avenue South, Minneapolis
Editor's note: Because audience numbers for each performance have to be limited, there are multiple performances, and some key roles are played by different actors in different performances. A caption accompanying this article has been revised to reflect that.