"Raining Aluminum"

July 8, 2016 — I think it was playwright Noel Coward who said of acting, "Just remember your lines and don't bump into the furniture." Well, Coward should have seen this flawless opening night performance of "Raining Aluminum" at the Stockbridge Theatre at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, New Hampshire. Under the direction of Matt Cahoon, theatre KAPOW's manipulation of props, some quite large, went beyond anything Coward envisioned when he made his dismissive comment about acting. And as for remembering lines, Carey Cahoon's lengthy technical explanation of the process of detonation and explosion was a tour de force in memorization.

Also in the cast in this unique and creative production were Peter Josephson, Candace Gatzoulis and Rachael Chapin Longo. Music was provided by Cynthia MacLeod on fiddle and accordion and Nat Ward on guitar. Kelly Smith was the dramaturg. Puppets were used under the guidance of Vit Hořejš. Tayva Young was responsible for lighting design.

The one-hour play, over twenty months from conception to finished product, ties together two horrific human disasters, the Halifax, Nova Scotia, explosion of 1917 and the attacks of 9/11. There's nothing I can describe that wouldn't be a spoiler. Every moment of the play should be experienced without advance knowledge. New Hampshire is fortunate to have such a talented group as theatre KAPOW. Their fine work deserves a much broader audience.