On a small-town stage near you a unique vision is being realized. Hammered: A Thor and Loki Play, an upcoming production from the Mendon/Centreville Drama Club, isn’t necessarily what you might think of when you think of a play. It certainly isn’t Shakespeare, Rent or Hamilton, and superheroes, gods, and other supernatural beings aren’t exactly go-to theater characters. 

Watershed Voice recently had the opportunity to speak with Director Eathan Bingaman about what inspired him to bring these characters to the Mendon Elementary Auditorium stage.

Danielle Hensley (DH): Hammered is a unique production. Is it based on the mythology of Thor and Loki? Or the Marvel universes?

Eathan Bingaman (EB): The Marvel Universe. I mean, the Marvel Universe itself is based off of mythology to an extent. This happens in between things that we know. So we have seen them as children and we have seen them as adults. Thor and Loki and Sif, and all of their friends from…I think Thor: Dark World is where we get introduced to all of the people who are in this but in (Hammered) they’re teenagers. They are in high school and they are dealing with high school problems. 

DH: Kinda like the Tom Holland’s Spiderman in high school.

EB: Yeah. So Marvel Spotlight has made three shows. There’s this one, a Squirrel girl one, and then there’s Ms. Marvel. Basically, they’re one acts. This is a one act also. We’ve split it up into two acts, we’ve added some staging without changing the dialogue or anything. We’ve added a fight scene, you will see that in a second here.

DH: I’m excited! I get a little sneak peek.

EB: It’s a very, very fun show. The kids have a lot of fun doing it. 

DH: It sounds fun because it’s not like your standard Shakespeare or anything like that. It’s something completely different.

EB: And it’s something we all know. We all watch. A lot of musicals get to do that but there’s not a lot of plays that get to do it. 

DH: Can you tell me more about the poster art for the show?

EB: The art was made by Zoey Carnes who is playing Loki. She put it together. Basically, I’m like “here’s my thing that I made in like 2 hours,” and then she turned it into a really, really good design. 

DH: It is great!

EB: That’s what everyone says. They see it and they’re like “that’s a really good poster!” Zoey killed it. 

DH: What inspired you to do a play about Thor and Loki?

EB: Well, I was looking at a bunch of different shows. This group is very talented. I have a very talented group of kids, and when I was looking online for plays — this was on my radar before — I’m the show selection committee for Three Rivers Community Players also, so I am constantly looking at shows. I read it and I was like “this is a fun, cute show” that number one covers that audience that musicals normally get to, especially younger kids who can see a Marvel show. They don’t normally get a chance to see it unless it’s on the big screen. More importantly, the little kids see that they can play Thor and Loki. 

DH: So what’s the main takeaway you’d like for the audience? Is there a message?

EB: To have fun. I mean, there’s a ton of messages. There’s a lot for younger kids to take away from it, especially. Sibling rivalry, not trusting immediately, if you’re not confident. There’s a ton of small things. It’s a really well written show in a way that like, it doesn’t hit you over the head with lessons but they’re there.

This show really packages up a family friendly show and lessons in a way that’s not boring. It’s not overtly educational. It’s very fun. There are lessons for teenagers, especially, to learn from this show. It’s got this under layer of Thor and Loki’s relationship with their parents but it’s written in a way that teenagers can portray it and understand it. 

DH: Any fun facts about yourself you can share? Favorite characters? Favorite Marvel superhero?

EB: My favorite Marvel superhero is a character called Slapstick. He is not well known but he is a 2D cartoon. He’s like Roger Rabbit. That’s his power and he’s kinda like Deadpool. It’s like those two together. It’s like Deadpool & Roger Rabbit.

DH: When & where will the play be held?

EB: Mendon Elementary School located at 306 Lane St. in the auditorium. It’s happening March 11 at 7:30 p.m., March 12 at 7:30 p.m., and March 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be bought at tinyurl.com/mendondramaclub or they can be bought at the door. Online it’s adult tickets only. Tickets cost $8 for students & seniors, and $10 for adults. 

DH: Do you have any Covid restrictions that people need to abide by?

EB: Masks are recommended. 

Editor’s Note: Flashing lights are used throughout this production of Hammered: A Thor and Loki Play. If you are sensitive to flashing lights, caution is advised.   

Danielle Hensley is a freelance writer and intern for Watershed Voice. She also writes her own blog called “Whatever the Eff I Want.” She enjoys spending time with family and bingeing Netflix.