Much as Aesop used animals to depict human defects, ``Just One World,`` a world premiere at Organic Theater, uses non-humans to teach lessons.
The creatures in this ecological, new age musical by composer/producer Ira Antelis, lyricist Eric Mercury and bookwriter John Lisbon Wood personify endangered species. Their loss, it`s clear, will snap our link with the land, perhaps even our reason for being.
The animals cohabit an imaginary ``Island of the Source`` on a feeder lake surrounded by a rain forest. Led by an ancient, senile turtle, the bestiary-a goofy platypus, a sassy lemur, a plucky spider, a pugnacious jungle cat, an elegant snow swan and an orphan goat-have somehow created a non-carnivorous Eden.
But they`re threatened by a fire spread by the bipedal ``taking creatures.`` According to a sacred tome left by the ``creator,`` one animal must serve as a sacrificial, Christ-like ``voice`` to persuade the
rapacious creatures to lay off the devastation.
With a fire raging toward them, the beasts fritter away precious time disputing who should be the ``voice``-just like stupid humans. After endless squabbles, the meekest one gets the nod and the rest follow for solidarity. That`s the plot, its sole conflict an unresolved clash with an unseen menace. If good intentions make a strong show, ``Just One World`` would enter show-biz heaven. But this bestial ``Hair`` founders on its own contradictions. It`s hard enough for humans to ape other animals without trivializing them, but it`s downright perverse for this fuzzy-feeling musical to give them human traits in order to make them worth saving.
Moreover, we never learn what appeal they`ll make to the ``taking creatures``-so there`s no payoff.
With no climax and little action, this curious concoction is held together by songs that come out of nowhere, semaphore-broad choreography and padded stage business. At best, the rich mix of calypso-rock-rap-and-pop passes the time without moving the plot. At worst, the easy-listening, synthesizer-spawned score is so derivative it should be dusted for
Mercury`s banal lyrics carry no surprises (one song is actually called
``When You Gotta Go You Gotta Go``), while the inert book is weighed down by feel-good cliches, purple prose and forced humor.
But you can savor skilled showcase performances in Davey Marlin-Jones`
peppy staging. Though overmiked, Michael Camacho tears into the street-dancing ``Give a Kid a Chance,`` Mark Damon Espinoza croons ``Feather in the Wind,`` Terence Charles Rodgers charges into ``Choose Me,`` and Dawn Morgan delivers the pathos of her sacrificing goat. But William Dick as the moody, tedious tortoise should stay in his shell.
But, hey, the kids may love it.
`JUST ONE WORLD`
By Ira Antelis, John Lisbon Wood and Eric Mercury; directed by Davey Marlin-Jones, with a set by Gardiner/Price Design, lighting by Gary Heitz and costumes by Lois Carder. Opened Feb. 2 at Organic Theater, 3319 N. Clark St.; open run; at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Wednesdays, 5:30 and 9 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays. Running time: 2:30. Tickets are $19.50 and $24.50. Phone 312-327-5588.