“Moby Dick Rehearsed” was originally written and directed by Orson Welles.

Performed for the first time in 1955, this modernist spin on the Melville classic has arrived to the O’Connell theatre at NIU. Director Stanton Davis has fought through blizzards and numerous set backs to get the performance done on time, and the trials and tribulations of the staff have paid off.

As I waited in the lobby to be let in for the dress rehearsal, a black cat ran around past the windows outside. Now, I’m not big on omens, but this one seemed pretty obvious. Moments later, as the lighting equipment hit a bit of a glitch to start the show, I was concerned that maybe all the superstition surrounding theatre had some legitimate bearing.

I could not have been more wrong. Once everything got fixed mechanically, the show went on, and it was as near-flawless as a play could have been. As a fan of the Melville classic myself, I found the plot endlessly amusing.

I don’t want to spoil it for anybody, but essentially, “Moby Dick Rehearsed” is a story of a theatre troupe who usually run a performance of “King Lear,” but at the behest of “The Governor” (who takes an incredible turn as Ahab) decides that they are going to run a rehearsal of “Moby Dick.”

The subtle cues of the actors are where this play truly shines. Every actor, from Ahab to the lovable Pip, to the deckhands and the bitter “Stage Manager” are out of this world. The characters slowly start to get more enthusiastic about the performance, and the performances evolve from half-hearted to jaw-dropping.

“Moby Dick Rehearsed” runs originally from February 24 through 27, and again March 3 to 6. I highly recommend you check it out.

5/5 Stars