Joel McCrary and Holden-Bashar's book is peppered with pop culture references and is updated regularly to keep things topical (there was a welcome Hunger Games gag the night I attended). The staging is simple, with video projections mapping the group's progress and a close-up of somebody's wildly rolling eye standing in for the sinister orb of Sauron.
Hand puppets are utilized for flashback scenes, and the surprisingly detailed costuming preserves the spirit of the piece while adding a silliness all its own.
Fellowship! is a production that satisfies both camps. If you live and breathe LOTR, you'll laugh. If you'd rather die than sit through the trilogy again, you'll laugh. (It should be noted that the understudies portrayed Pippin and Arwen/Legolas the night I attended, but I'm sure the regulars are funny, too.)
Fellowship! plays at Trepany House at the Steve Allen Theatre Fridays at 8 and 11 p.m. until June 29. Reservations can be made online.







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