It's All In The Name: Sizing Up Squonk Opera's Off-Kilter and Imaginative Ode to Air

Squonk, according to urban legend, alludes to a fabled formidable varmint that stalks northern Pennsylvania’s woodlands. According to Urban Dictionary, Squonk is also South African vernacular for off-kilter or misaligned. Both of these definitions are easily attributed to and aptly describe Squonk Opera, a Pittsburgh-based innovative avant-garde performance art troupe touring their latest show Pneumatica at Moraine Valley Community College. Most of the time, one was unsure of what was going on as a cyclone of original melody, intriguing graphics and fabulous farce blended captivatingly in the company’s off-balance ode to wind and fancy-free.

            One engrossing aspect of the group’s presentation of their most recent creation is the hilarious prop design and work. Utilizing gas masks with attached inflatable hose contraptions that resembled noses or majestic elephant trunks were quite funny. The props, such as the gas masks and the cannon-blasters letting out large tufts of smoke (like those Puff the Magic Dragon emits from his pipe), were such an intriguing and entertaining aspect of the show. Another fantastic part of Pneumatica was the costuming. The partBreaking Bad’s Walter White, part new-agey scatter-brained professor's lab coat ensemble was impressive. The inflatable vest that expanded to look like a strange koosh ball, sea urchin combination also showed interesting costume design and was one of the evident strengths of the presentation.  

            Moreover, the music and sound was one of the most outstanding aspects of the show. All of the original orchestration was attention-grabbing and totally pleasing to the ear. In addition, the high emphasis on wind and string instruments that evoke the sentiment of and are associated with the air fit with Pneumatica’s theme wonderfully, and added a beautiful layer of cohesiveness to the display. The music coming through the metal tubes and piping composing the main structure was exciting and also fit the theme and mood of the performance quite well. An outdoor arena truly suited the show's mood and musicality as the Moraine Valley quad was the perfect backdrop for amplifying this spectacular showcase of comedy, sound and visual artistry.

            Truly captivating and outstanding was the centerpiece of the set and performance, the statue of Lady Pneumatica. Lady Pneumatica was, to say the least, a sight to behold. Arms outstretched as if welcoming you into the weird world of fabulous fantasy Squonk creates, the statue is friendly and challenging all at once. It appears menacing and caring, offering an embrace, all strangely at the same time and in one fell swoop. The dynamics of Lady Pneumatica, from the entrancing metallic mobile crowning her that I originally thought were weather vanes, to the flaming wings that sprouted from her backside during the finale, were stunning. The construction, manipulation and representation of Lady Pneumatica not only was aesthetically intriguing, it fell in line with the avant-garde tone of the show and demeanor of the performance company.

            Another stand-out feature of Squonk Opera and their staging of Pneumatica was the mass appeal and accessibility to a widespread audience of all ages. In thinking about the other performances I have attended over this summer, they all have been quite adult-oriented. Even the self-proclaimed fairy tale based on an 18^th century mythical tale by Carlos Gozzi, The Green Bird expressed mature themes and was geared towards a more advanced audience. However, this particular show proved quite the opposite. It was entirely family friendly and very much youth-oriented. As much as I was intrigued by the eclectic performance taking place onstage, I could not find myself able to tear my eyes away from the children frolicking at play on the grass. Seeing youngsters enthralled with and enjoying the spectacle, cavorting around without a care in the world truly embodied the essence of summer--kids just being kids. It was captivating, and made it clear that the show accomplished its goal of pleasing a diverse audience of all ages and interests.

            Squonk’s non-traditional storytelling capacity and gift, exhibited with this presentation of their newest display, Pneumatica, is unparalleled. Through an interesting tapestry and amalgamation of unique and quirky sights and sounds, costuming, props and sets, the troupe conveys a compelling story without having to say a single word. Their ability to express and evoke emotion by telling a tale without a solitary line of dialogue is more than impressive. Squonk certainly does exude a fantastic mythicality and off-centeredness as its name suggests, and it's something one should experience.