There are moments in The Squirrels where the room will be laughing, and moments where it won’t be.
The show opens March 27 at Catalyst Theater Company’s space on 7th Street. It moves fast between absurd comedy and something sharper, without much warning, and the production doesn’t try to smooth those edges out.
“It’s really funny when it’s funny and really dark when it’s dark,” said director Ryan Puffer.
The story drops a group of squirrels into a tree heading into winter. Food is limited, territory matters, and the tension between them doesn’t stay quiet for long. What starts off strange settles into something more recognizable as the lines between them harden.
On paper, actors playing squirrels could feel like a gimmick. It doesn’t. The cast plays it straight and commits fully to the physical world of the show, which is what makes it land.
“We focused on movement and the physical nature of the squirrels,” Puffer said.
That physical commitment was one of the harder parts of building the production. It takes a certain kind of actor to go all the way into something this strange and still keep it grounded.
“The biggest challenge is finding actors who are game with being silly and inhabiting the world of squirrels… but also still find the heart and sincerity in the story,” he said.
Underneath the surface, the show keeps circling questions about who belongs, who gets pushed out, and what happens when resources get tight. Those ideas are there, but they’re never spelled out for you.
“Even though it’s a semi-serious story about class and race, the characters are still squirrels,” Puffer said.
For audiences walking in without context, the shifts in tone can be abrupt, but there’s something in the characters that starts to feel familiar as it goes.
“The play truly fluctuates between hilarious moments and shocking moments and sad moments… just come in with an open mind and be along for the ride,” Puffer said.
The run also includes pay-what-you-can performances, supported by the Rapid City Arts Council, continuing Catalyst’s effort to keep their work accessible to the community.
“Our entire community should get the opportunity to experience art,” Puffer said.
The Squirrels runs March 27 through April 18 at Catalyst Theater Company, 513 7th Street in Rapid City.
Photos courtesy of Catalyst Theater Company
The Squirrels runs March 27 through April 18
at Catalyst Theater Company,
513 7th Street in Rapid City.
CAST:
Sciurus: Justin Kleiman
Mammalia: Mandy Pheil
Chordata: Lanaya Young
Carolinensis: Kai Dwyer
Rodentia: Angela Miller
Sciuridae/The Scientist: Ryan Bozer
Squirrel Ensemble: Matt Bertrand, Laura Savage