Original does not even begin to describe “Neptune Frost,” opening June 10 at the Landmark Ritz Five. This heady, visually stimulating, sci-fi musical extravaganza from Rwanda about gender and economic inequality, also addresses the exploitation of mines (and miners) among other political topics. (One sample lyric: “Underscore the overpaid.”) The encrypted plot involves Neptune (played by both Cheryl Isheja and Elvis Ngabo), and Matalusa (Bertrand Ninteretse aka Kaya Free), and a coltan miner, inspiring revolution and resistance. Neptune has an interesting encounter with a man named Innocent (Dorcy Rugamba), who discovers they are intersex, while another storyline involves the promotion of MartyrLoserKing (a play on Matalusa and MLK). “Neptune Frost” pulsates to a rhythmic beat and the musical sequences are fabulous. So too, are the makeup and costumes (one character sports a jacket made from a disassembled computer keyboard.) It does not all work, but take in “Neptune Frost,” and absorb its messages about belonging and dissonance, as well as power and how to wield it.
“Neptune Frost” is a sci-fi musical extravaganza
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