HOME at the Berkeley Rep - Has Moments of Magic But Not Worth Leaving Home For

HOME created and starring Geoff Sobelle known for his absurdist works is an immersive absurdist production with many moving parts, literally.  This production at the Berkeley Rep appeared promising from the start with magical moments of ephemeral intrigue and musical performance by composer Elvis Perkins (Anthony Perkins' son.). Perkins musical compositions and performances were reminiscent of a young Bob Dylan's folks music and clever lyrics though difficult to decipher.  Thankfully, his lyrics are printed in the program and it's probably only a matter of time before he gains notoriety for his musical talents.  Perkins bookends the overly long One Act  which is packed with magic & ephemeral grace to start.  David Neumann's majestic choreography echoes Maya Angelou's sentiment "Everything in the universe has rhythm.  Everything dances."  Unfortunately the production unfolds into an annoying supercilious absurdist theater that throws in everybody and everything plus the kitchen sink and an overflowing crapper.  The overstuffed immersive structure with minimalistic dialogue implodes into disaster.  This dubious bifurcation is deeply disappointing after marvelous choreographic staging & lighting that casts a shine on the beauty found in the mundane. Overlapping lives simultaneously pass through unbeknownst to one another under the same roof.  Perkins live music gets plastered over by a recorded mixed bag of musical scores.  Bringing the audience onto the congested stage weighs down the production.  The actors misstep going into the audience to enlist people to elevate strung lightbulbs.  HOME really jumps the shark once separated trajectories connect within the framework of the house on stage and audience house members.  The grim reaper makes his rounds towards the end but by then the magic has vanished.   The saving grace comes from 2 eloquent interjecting prose that evokes nostalgia for one's own childhood home.  There is no place like home and nothing quite like HOME.  But after the mystifying foundation is set, the additional construct should be laid to rest.