written by John Heimbuch
directed by Amy Rummenie
August 12 – 27, 2009
Minnesota Fringe Festival
at the Gremlin Theatre
An elite military intelligence training program. Two young officers: One penguin. One not. Who will make it through? When Lt. Riley discovers that his bunk-mate is a penguin, he decides to capitalize on his new friend’s celebrity status to further his own career. This original military drama explores questions of selfishness, friendship, and understanding between species.
Cast
Production Team
| lt. thomas riley | Ryan Lindberg | director | Amy Rummenie |
| lt. christine vasquez | Melissa Anne Murphy | set | David Pisa |
| mjr. norman hillyard | Peter Ooley | costumes | John Heimbuch |
| lt. andrew falkland | as himself | lighting | Peter W. Mitchell |
| sound | Amy Rummenie | ||
| puppeteers | John Heimbuch | stage manager | Stacy Davis Spensley |
| David Pisa | puppet construction | Sarah Franz-Wichlacz | |
| photographers | Scott Pakudaitis | ||
| Dan Norman |
Reviews
A top graduate of the military’s intelligence program gets to advanced training and finds his roommate is a penguin. Thus begins a smart, absurd little buddy story that charms the pants off us. Is it a whimsical look at stereotyping, or a story of one man’s frustration with the system, or just a funny romp that is superbly acted (the penguin puppet is perfect) and archly directed (by Amy Rummenie)? Yes, yes and yes. This was sold out Tuesday night, so get there early. Well worth it.
– Graydon Royce, Star Tribune
It seemed a safe bet that there would be an open seat for a Tuesday evening performance of “Squawk” during last summer’s Fringe Festival. But no. Director Amy Rummenie of Walking Shadow Theatre Company had to give up her perch in the back row for this latecomer to score a look.
An hour later it was clear why this play, written by John Heimbuch, would sell out. “Squawk” hit serious subjects — jealousy and prejudice — with such a light and disarming touch that no one walked away with the feeling they had been preached at. The concept (a penguin in boot camp) was absurd, but the playing was dead straight. It was a delight.
Not all of Walking Shadow’s productions have achieved the easy success of “Squawk.” But as the company moves into its fifth year, it has established itself as one of the young groups to watch in the ever-refreshing well of Twin Cities small theater. There is a seriousness of purpose, commendable even in the bad stuff. Rummenie, Heimbuch and David Pisa (who does “everything that Amy and John aren’t doing”) have methodically built a little company that deserves attention.
– Graydon Royce, Star Tribune
