'The Light Chasers' roars through space at the Know Theatre

By Noah Moore

(Originally published by League of Cincinnati Theatres on April 7, 2024)

Check out my behind-the-scenes interview with cast member Gabi Adams for Cincinnati CET here!

The science nerds, played by Evan Kupersmith, Cassandra Reeves, Staylie Brunner, and Lilia Villaflor, discuss their inventions. (Photo by Dan R. Winters Photography)

Healing takes time, especially after tampering with the space-time continuum. The Light Chasers, presented by the Know Theatre and UC-CCM, smash open the cosmos in a heartfelt and galaxy-bending musical. In this brand-new locally grown musical, audiences traverse time and space to find out if fate is really written in the stars.

This is Andrew Hungerford’s swan song. And what an ending to his tenure–he is the writer, co-director, designer, and is the outgoing Artistic Director of Know Theatre.

Based on Cloud Cult’s 2010 indie orchestral album by the same name, The Light Chasers’ solar system revolves around Nic, left in longing ever since her father departed for a space mission ten years ago. After moving to a new school and navigating rifts with the other science nerds, Nic searches for healing and meaning.

Half-schoolyard play and half-space adventure, this show takes a familiar premise and sends it through a black hole of twists, turns, and roaring light. The product is a show that bounces with bright music, reminiscent of Coldplay alt rock, and subverts expectations with determinant characters. Though the script may have some cheesy and familiar elements, by the end, the show’s story grows to feel unique and singular. 

Nic, played by Gabi Adams, seeks to save her father’s ship traveling through space–or so we think. (Photo by Dan R. Winters Photography)

The protagonist in this piece is Nic, played affectionately by Gabi Adams, whose warm stage presence and bright-eyed optimism elevate the piece. Her chemistry and earnestness are the emotional heartbeat of the show, most notably with Ellis, her new friend adorably played by Carson Mehlbauer, and her stoic father, played by James Creque. These sweet moments balance out with the more questionable moments, like when she socks another student in the face, for example. 

Next, the show’s ensemble, at nine members, brilliantly fill the stage in several roles designed to lighten the show’s mood. Performers Evan Kupersmith and Cassandra Reeves, as Blake and Kai respectively, even played instruments throughout the show’s score. The antagonist, Charlie played by Nico Graves, perfectly embodies high school dynamics and delivers some of the show’s largest laughs, as well.

As Ellis and Charlie, played by Caron Mehlbauer and Nico Graves respectively, secure the time portal, Gabi grabs her father’s hand, played by James Creque. (Photo by Dan R. Winters Photography)

The subtlety of the stage, seen before the show starts, slowly evolves into a smorgasbord of colored light, projections, and moving elements. The set and lighting design, by director Andrew J. Hungerford, are just elaborate enough to serve the show without cramping or overloading the intimate space. The show’s most impressive element is the time portal, adorned with Edison bulbs and copper. Hungerford and Jess Hutchinson’s direction features several gorgeous pieces of ensemble movement that add to the show’s musical numbers well. 

Complimenting Hungerford’s designs, the projection design by Douglass J. Borntrager, elevate the ethereal nature of the show’s space scenes. The walls are wrapped in whirring data, numbers, and graphs that help establish time and place in a sleek way. The projections are also responsible for the show’s most gorgeous imagery of endless stars that spill off the stage, which was a magical touch.

The science nerds reach for Nic’s bag to get back their inventions before they’re used for Nic’s project. (Photo by Dan R. Winters Photography)

The kitschiness and singularity of this show make it a must-see. Audiences can chase their own light at the Know Theatre, and The Light Chasers makes a strong, alt-rock-filled case for doing just that. Tickets are available now at KNOWTHEATRE.COM/THE-LIGHT-CHASERS/ and the show runs through April 28!