Dali’s Dream

 Dali’s Dream
Gene Frankel Theatre
April 12, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Dali's Dream
Monli International Company LLS &
The  Onomatopoeia Theatre Company

Lisa Monde’s play, Dali’s Dream, is as surreal as a Dali painting.  The characters are intriguing.  The dialogue is intelligent and witty.  Ms. Monde is a true collaborator.  She directed this piece with Thomas R. Gordon, composed the original music, and choreographed the production with Dylan Vallier.  The images in the design and characterizations are strong and consistent throughout the production.  The staging and choreography are at times clever and other times enigmatic, diving deeply into the psyche of genius.    

Salvador Dali (played by Dyllan Vallier) requests a session with Sigmund Freud (played by John Higgins).  Dr. Freud discusses this meeting with his assistant, Adolf/Adolphina (played by Lisa Monde).  He decides to expose Dali to his patients at the asylum.  Frank (played by Seth Andrew Miller), Stein (played by Ryan Wasserman), Yin (played by Sondrine Bontemps), and Yang (played by Habin Kwak) are each suffering from different psychological disturbances.  Pierre/Eva/Euterpe (played by Mac Stevenson) escorts the patients in and out of their sessions, helping Adolf/Adolphina with their care.  Observing the patients gives Dali an insight into his own paranoia.  When Dr. Freud takes Dali back to his childhood memories, they reveal the origins of the surreal images in his work.  In a later discussion with Coco Chanel (played by Leslie Renee), Dali turns the table on Freud’s analysis, and puts himself in control of the outcome.  He questions Freud’s conclusion, believing he is a true genius who longs for madness. 

John Higgins & Dyllan Vallier
Photo courtesy of Dali's Dream
Monli International Company LLS &
The  Onomatopoeia Theatre Company

John Higgins portrays a grounded Freud amidst the wildly absurd surroundings.  Dyllan Vallier’s Dali is a heightened characterization.  This contrast beautifully builds the conflict, tension, and humor, driving the action and keeping the audience riveted.  Lisa Monde’s Adolf/Adolphina represents the androgynous images in Dali’s work.  She enters at unexpected times, raising the level of mystery in each scene.  Mac Stevenson delivers a strong performance as Pierre/Eva/Euterpe.  This multiple named role serve numerous purposes in the dream-like plot.  Ms. Stevenson captures the audience’s undivided attention and makes a lasting impression.. 

Seth Andrew Miller, Ryan Wasserman, Sondrine Bontemps, and Habin Kwak each have a solo spot in Act II.  They shine as the characters of Frank, Stein, Yin, and Yank share their psyche with Dali.  Each actor delivers a truthful and inspiring moment, deepening the understanding of the statement the playwright/director is making about Dali’s genius and paranoia.  Leslie Renee is charming and bold as Coco Chanel.  Her character brings a sense of social standing/snobbery to Dali’s journey.    

Dali’s Dream is a unique experience, meshing the interpretation of artistic achievement with psychological analysis.  The production is running at the Gene Frankel Theatre through April 27. 

Domenick Danza