In a world . . . where Norse mythology meets prog rock on a set seemingly built by precocious middle-schoolers, brothers Jorik and Jarl battle one another and several deities (best known to modern audiences via the Marvel Universe) to wear the crown of their kingdom. Songs are sung, seas traversed, swords crossed, and evil vanquished; the people rejoice and peace rules the land.
ValhallaThrough 2/5: Thu-Sat 8 PM, Sun 2 PM, The Edge Off Broadway, 1133 W. Catalpa, theplagiarists.org, pay what you can (suggested donation $15)
If this calls to mind a game of Dungeons & Dragons soundtracked by Yes or Magma, you’re on the right track. Adapted by Bryan Haney and Kate Nawrocki from a concept album by Haney’s band, Cirkut Mob, and directed by Nawrocki, the overall effect is spirited cosplay meets high school musical. Lacking the budget for the million-dollar effects the production aspires to, designer Nina D’Angier-Castillo’s shadow puppets evoke a child’s world of make-believe where a toy Viking ship can crash convincingly in a pretend sea that is just a long piece of cloth waved to and fro by a playground friend. The spell breaks when grown-ups belt tunes with on-the-nose lyrics about good and evil and the like. The live band, led by Elizabeth Bagby, backs these groaners skillfully, but not unlike the 70s dinosaur rock they are an obvious and loving tribute to, it’s best to ignore the lyric sheet.
I kept imagining how much more affecting this would all be if it were performed by actual children rather than adults pretending but there’s no faulting the effort or desire of anyone involved, no matter their age.