(Sue is a distinguished member of the staff of the Boston Science Fiction Film Festival, currently entering its 50th year)

The Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA served as host to the world premiere of Beasties, a Sci-Fi Rock Opera by the King of pop Culture and Antiques Roadshow celebrity, Gary Sohmers.

The program quotes Sohmers, the writer and producer, as saying ‘Beasties is a live, immersive, sci-fi graphic novel, a visual-storytelling, rockin’ and rollin’ musical theatrical experience’.

And it certainly was! 

Before it even starts, there are videos of space projected behind the stage, constantly changing.  Then comes the music – loud rock, with lyrics that are easy to understand (sometimes on the screen).  During the course of the performance, the videos display – more space pictures; beautiful pictures of life on earth – animals moving, plants growing; and some bright-colored designs reminiscent of Peter Max.

The story is simple, a politician trying to take over the show that is being presented in New York’s Central Park, and the performers not letting him.  And the euphemism is easy to comprehend!

18 songs performed by an All-Star cast including Barrence Whitfield, Mach Bell, Liz Proteau and Jerry Bisantz, plus a choral cast and a live band tell the story of an epic alien encounter at a concert in Central Park to try to save the Earth from climate destruction and corporate political corruption. This was the premiere of the first stage of the development of a new form of live entertainment … a live, immersive, sci-fi graphic novel, a visual-storytelling, rockin’ rollin’ musical theatrical experience.

The songs are good, with great singers.  The 3-person band – guitar, bass, and drums – gave the show a loud, rock-and-roll vibe.

All in all, a great experience.

Written and produced by Gary Sohmers • Lyrics by Gary Sohmers • Music by Gary Sohmers and Bill Holloman • Music Director Bill Holloman Jr. Live show featuring Cliff Goodwin (guitar), with Robb Simring (bass) and Dan Drohan (drums). Associate Producer – Tiffany Hulse • Associate Producer – Darren Lussier • Technical Designer – Frank Coleman. Technical Services – Image Production Services, Shrewsbury MA

Art Design – Kathy Wade, Tiffany Hulse, Bob Eggleton, Philo Barnhart • Animated characters designed by Philo Barnhart, Videos by Tiffany Hulse, Micah Buzzin, Frank Coleman, Peter Bernard, Promotion by Jay Michaels Global Communications, llc.