Cal Vo, T. Green, and David Weaver in Punk Rock Lobster
It’s actually difficult to know where to begin. What started as a fairly straightforward tale about rescuing a crustacean from an upscale restaurant tank evolved into an existentialist crisis for almost every character as they collectively grappled with their current realities. While that sounds potentially deeper than you’re perhaps expecting, please note that Haus of Ruckus' Punk Rock Lobster – currently running at Moline's Black Box Theatre – is a comedy, and never takes itself too seriously.
If there was one lesson I learned on Saturday night, it was that the definition of punk is a fluid concept. Written by T. Green and Cal Vo, with Vo also serving as this production’s director, projections guru, and sound/prop designer, Punk Rock Lobster is a twisty turning hour of… . Well, comedic ruckus.
Fungus (Green) and Johnny (Vo) were simply enjoying their meal of shrimp at dinnertime, much to the chagrin of Max Robnett’s waiter, when Fungus made eyes with the titular crustacean in its tank. They’re obviously soul mates, and even though that relationship was not explored after the subsequent rescue efforts, it was still the catalyst for the entirety of what was to come.
Please note: Shrimp, as portrayed by Jo E. Vasquez whether as a part of a meal or encountered under the sea, are not to be underestimated in this production. Being perpetually underestimated is how so many of the characters in the show became punk in the first place. And trust me, when oceanic creatures turn punk, you never know how the tides may turn and what might happen next.
Honestly, the wheels came off the wagon pretty darn quick in Saturday’s performance when the punk-rock lobster Paulie, a leather-jacket clad pink lobster puppet wielded by David Weaver, managed to lose both his claws moments after he was rescued from the tank. First off, it was a hilarious moment, even if it wasn’t exactly how the Ruckus team thought the show was going to go. Secondly, didn’t that make it even more punk that accident-prawn Paulie lost actual body parts and just kept going forward as though he was perfectly fine pincerless x2? I certainly thought so.
What was also punk about Punk Rock Lobster? How the Black Box space was transformed, with the set’s primary features multi-use columns that effectively transitioned between land and ocean. Vo designed projections that I quite enjoyed; as each locale changed, so did the projections. Across the walls, there were also some well-placed fliers and signs plastered up for that final ambiance. And let’s not forget Riley Carizey’s live music and the little space he commanded on stage with his guitar and amp. Would I have loved to hear more from Riley? Absolutely. But what the music contributed epically, and beautifully, enhanced the live moments.
Throughout the under-the-sea montages, the audience is introduced to many different characters. There were the formerly punk and now super-chill lobsters Stabby Pete (Andres Garcia) and Davey (Race Bakeris), whom Paulie has to convince to go back to their punk ways. These scenes with the lobsters let Fungus and Johnny take a back seat, and while I love their characters, it was a lot of fun to see where the lobsters took us.
Paulie also resurrected a punk band with Vasquez’s second character Manny the Manatee (who believes her friends think she’s a mermaid), Keenan Wilson’s Methane, and Sarah Goodall’s Sulfur. While all three of these totally punk rockers rock, Goodall carved a particular soft spot in my heart with her spoken-word poetry skills. The only way this trio could have been improved upon is if they might have actually had a song to whip out at some point. (I mean, if the B-52s provided the inspiration in the first place, I feel like it would have been possible, especially with Carizey already on stage.)
Not to be outdone by the rest of the cast was Amelia Fischer in her role as Kenny, the mutant lobster turned security guard. At the very top of the show, there was a voice-over about the mysterious ooze that invaded the beach. This ooze was referenced many a time, but never so well as when Fischer, with her fully human self, simply retained her lobster claws. That said: Never underestimate the power of rubber bands over claws (or fingers) as a method of containment. Handcuffs are so 2023!
How does this all wrap up? Well, not to be shellfish, but that seems too much of a spoiler to publicly share. But the Haus of Ruckus show isn’t over until you meet Terry Green’s Shrimpy. (Again, the shrimp references in this comedy continually made me laugh – an impressive feat indeed.) There’s also the character of Urchin, played by three different actors, the one you'll see depending on which evening you attend. I myself saw area comedian and musician Bob Kelly. You’ll probably see someone else, which means it'll be a completely different production. I predict much of the ruckus will otherwise remain the same. But you never know, which is why you should go. Punk Rock Lobster is a crustacean sensation unlike anything else. So get your claws on some tickets and enjoy a play you’ll just have to (ahem) sea for yourselves.
Punk Rock Lobster runs at the Black Box Theatre (1623 Fifth Avenue, Moline IL) through January 28, and more information and tickets are available by visiting Haus of Ruckus' Facebook page.
