The Mirror Sphere: The Sworn Protector

Kirkatures—John Hirsch Mainstage

A playwrights note on the back of the lengthy program describes this musical as a childhood story come to life- and it was apparent. Not, however, in the “I’ll put this on the fridge” way that some children’s stories are, but in the nostalgic, endearing “I remember doing things like this” kind of way. Unfortunately for the company, the venue assigned didn’t do them any favours, and some performers weren’t prepared for the volume needed to fill the space. Something I would say is perfect for kids 10 and up, who’ve had a chance to delve into adventure media in a more meaningful sense, The Mirror Sphere is a labour of love; chaotic and full of tropes, it milked its inspirations dry, and almost seemed too ambitious to fit into a single hour. I suppose that’s why there’s a sequel in the works. And I suppose that’s why I might be checking it out.

Arden Pruden

The Mirror Sphere: The Sworn Protector

Kirkatures—John Hirsch Mainstage

I had to double-check that this was a local production and not an import from Wisconsin, such was the amount of cheese on display. But that’s okay; they know it and at times even lean into it. On the surface a somewhat cliched fantasy epic done as a sung-through musical – the program name-checks Tolkien and Nintendo’s Zelda series as major influences – there’s more than a few hints that the winking nods to the audience aren’t just comic relief and that the whole thing is going somewhere rather post-modern. True to its genre, it’s the first of a planned series, so we don’t get to find out for sure just yet. Some of the vocal performances could have been more assured, and it’s always a bit tricky to hear unamplified singing in this venue when there’s any kind of accompaniment, but the songs came through well enough that I heard other audience members singing them on the way out.

Jeff Heikkinen