The Unicorn’s Journey to the Poles of Inaccessibility is a globe-trotting fantasy that tackles some big swings

Screenshot 2023 12 10 At 103909pm

Photo by Cynthia Levin/Unicorn Theatre

Imagine there is real magic out in the world just waiting to be discovered. Due to extreme circumstance, Dylan and Chris find themselves thrown together on a quest for the impossible, and their buddy comedy serves as a launching point for Craig Pospisil’s script to take audiences around the globe in Journey to the Poles of Inaccessibility—a new play that shoots for the stars and lands somewhere adjacent.

Dylan is comfortable with his insular life, working at an insurance company and living with his wheelchair-bound aunt. Then he meets Chris, a young woman of boundless energy, on a quest to gather what magic may remain at the eight Poles of Inaccessibility, the world’s most remote places. Dylan and Chris circle the globe on an epic journey of discovery, comedy, danger, and romance. Set against the backdrop of extreme environments and treacherous conditions, the play intertwines elements of survival, camaraderie, and personal growth. As the characters face physical and emotional challenges, they forge deep connections and grapple with their individual motives for embarking on this perilous journey.

Pospisil’s work advocates for the human spirit of exploration and the unbreakable bonds that form in the face of adversity. It celebrates the resilience of individuals and the indomitable quest for discovery.

Attempting to hit eight of the world’s poles causes some pacing issues in Craig Pospisil’s script, feeling overstuffed and bogged down at times, followed by an overly twist-heavy second act that really changes the world this is set within. But Gleeson and Schultz-Bever’s chemistry is captivating and the rest of the cast (Jense Cook, Vi Tran, Fransisco Javier Villegas, and Mateo Moreno, playing multiple characters each), under the direction of Heidi Van who makes the material pop. The show’s vibes match the kinetic Venture Brothers soundtrack that blasted in the pre-show lobby, and the production frenetic pacing makes the audience feel that, much like the cast, they never have a moment to sit.

Journey to the Poles of Inaccessibility runs through December 22, 2023 at the Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St.For more information, call 816-531-7529 or visit unicorntheatre.org.

Screenshot 2023 12 10 At 103832pm

Photo by Cynthia Levin/Unicorn Theatre

 

Categories: Theater