James Godwin                                  photos by Jim Moore

                          By Glenn Giron

We find ourselves in a futuristic Manhattan or what eventually comes to be known as NYORG.  Wylie Walker, the hero of our story, narrates the piece in a film noir themed voice over that is not for a moment unappreciated - he is the maintenance man of the new city’s inter web of biotechnology.  While doing routine maintenance to SAM, a character reminiscent of R2D2 or Wall E, Wylie finds that he is missing an integral part to perform his tasks.  When the mayor, who is a bestowed a spot on Christopher Walken voice finds out, he sends Wylie on a wild goose chase for the missing key which leaves Wylie to discover that his efforts to keep a storm at bay were in fact causing it– a trick that had been played on the citizens of NYORG for generations by the political powers.

Our ‘average joe everyman’ hero it turns out is not so average after all.  We come to find, thanks to a message left by his father, that it is Wylie’s destiny to save the people of NYORG.  Wylie must overcome detailed and creative puzzles on his journey.  Along the way you are introduced to dozens of characters, all performed with sniper precision and impeccable timing. Some who thwart Wylie’s attempts to save the city, and some who aid.  Scene after scene of Wylie’s plights has a more elaborate and thought out character only to be outdone by the next.  There is a creepy but elegant rat queen, a detestable yet somehow endearing blob known as The Tongue and a charming and borderline senile mother to name a few, all of whom interact with either Godwin directly as he portrays Wylie or a puppet resembling Godwin himself.

Wylie Walker and the Twins

Godwin also takes advantage of shadow box and overhead projector puppetry for larger more “cinematic” moments such as a chase or an escape sequence with great effect that if you’re imagination is let loose, adds a sense of grandeur that the intimate venue doesn’t outright provide to Godwin.  His use of multimedia is simple yet effective as the audience watches on screens what characters are watching on their televisions. News bulletins and election campaigns are video footage of puppets within the world and are some of the funnier moments of the script as they were riddled with political and social farce.  At times the comedy does get cheap, akin to something you’d find in Adult Swim or Robot Chicken sketches, comedy that has its place, but comedy that isn’t sophisticated or artistic enough for the overall intelligence behind this show.

Overall the show is a delight.  It is thought provoking and intriguing.  Godwin’s most outstanding contribution to this piece is his commitment.  There are times when small props are sound to have hiccups and Godwin embraces them and uses them as an opportunity for a laugh.  The time goes by quickly and there are plenty of moments that stick with you.  Godwin has clearly put a great deal of work and time into this show and it has paid off.  Grab a moment to see this show if you can and maybe even sign up for Godwin’s master class on puppetry which is done at the same space.

THE FLATIRON HEX will play six performances only – May 15th, 16th, 22th, 23th, 29th, and 30th at 7:30PM, at Dixon Place (161A Chrystie Street). Tickets are $16 in advance, $20 at the door, and $12 for seniors and students. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.dixonplace.org or by calling 866-811-4111.