By Myah Schultz and Sarah Schultz

Gnarly Bard Theater Company presents their new musical, Alpha Moon: A Monster Musical in One Act, at the Gremlin Theater.

Written by Bubba Holly, this show is a real aural treat. Each song is an absolute bop. If there were a cast album, these reviewers would have it playing on loop, no skips. The titular “Alpha Moon” is an eerie jam rife with wolfy, howling harmonies that loop up and drift down, evoking that infamous call of the wild. “The Council is in Session” is an absolute delight—a “Monster Mash” for a new generation, this song pops thanks to energetic vocals and excellent comedic performances from all involved. The 11 o’clock number, “All Alone”, is where Clare Rolinger takes Lily to the next level, digging into her character’s despair, delivering a truly heart-wrenching performance.

Director Mike Mellas did an great job with casting; everyone melds well vocally. Each small group sounds amazing—especially the duets sung by Clare Rolinger as Lily and Haley Sisler-Neuman as Sam and those sung by Megan Kim and Nicole Wilder as the Monster Hunters. Rolinger and Sisler-Neuman sound like sisters. Their voices blend beautifully, weaving around each other in soaring harmonies. Kim and Wilder‘s voices also make for a bewitching mix. Their timbre is dark. Rich. Foreboding. They carry such gravitas when they sing that we wished all of their dialogue was set to music.

Haley Sisler-Neuman stood out with her strong acting and vocals. Her character was grounded and compelling. Despite living in a world of magic and monsters, she’s no over-the-top caricature; she’s a hesitantly optimistic skeptic who serves as an audience surrogate. She questions authority and pokes holes in far fetched “facts.” We believe her wariness. We believe her love for her friend. Her voice is a clear, effortless belt. It soars easily to the back of the house, crisp and bright—never strained or harsh.

Ryan Huxford as Theo is so sweet and genuine. We feel his internal struggle in every scene thanks to his natural acting and constant attention to physicality. He also has a lovely voice that spins out some pretty high melodies. He doesn’t sound like a monster at all, which underscores the theme of the show throughout.

Eric Lee as Sid has a strong voice and an invigorating energy that light up the stage whenever he appears. His power and intensity made it clear that he would eventually win out over Theo’s objections, which cast a shadow of impending doom over the whole story.

Tech-wise, this production is exactly what small scale theater should be. Constraints beget creativity. Every tech element is exceedingly clever, inventive, and effective—we adored them all.

Scenic designer Jerry McMurray created a set that is understated but gorgeous. Jagged, blocky forest cutouts give the stage a fairy tale feel (in the Brother’s Grimm sense; no Disney here), and the simple moon set piece adds to the eerie ambience while giving the audience a clear understanding of the passage of time throughout the show.

The costumes, designed by Brittany Miller, contribute to the storybook quality of the production. Sid’s shadowy getup and Izbaline’s delicate wire wings are both notable eye-catchers. Theo’s werewolf transition is also a costuming highlight. Wolf arms that end in shredded bits of the same shirt Theo wears account for a majority of the effect. Sid slides them on during the song and it’s not distracting at all. We stay locked in the moment, disbelief well and truly suspended.

Brent Anderson deserves a huge shout-out for his work as lighting designer. Subtle, spooky fades on the scrim; charming projections dancing through “Rita’s Song”; clever jail lighting to supersede physical set pieces—each lighting choice is extremely effective, immediately telegraphing where we are and what’s going on.

Alpha Moon: A Monster Musical in One Act is a perfect way to usher in the Halloween season. It runs October 20-29 at Gremlin Theatre in St. Paul. Check out gnarlybardtheater.com for more details. Click here to order your tickets today.