By JAYA GUPTA Special to the Daily Press
“Caterpillar Soup” sounds as though it would be the cutesy title of a children’s fairytale volume. The story Lyena Strelkoff tells in her self-written auto-biosolo production at the Santa Monica Playhouse about becoming paralyzed and rehabilitating her mind, body and soul, however, is a dialogue only a mature audience could comprehend and appreciate.
Left completely paralyzed from the waist down as the result of a crushed spinal cord after falling from a tree in the Malibu Hills in 2002, life should have come to a dead halt for Strelkoff, professionally-trained in acting and dance. As a founding member of Ziggurat Theatre Ensemble of Los Angeles, Strelkoff was three weeks into rehearsals for a performance when her accident occurred. Instead of becoming disillusioned with her quite-literal fall from grace, she transcribed personal tragedy into writing and through an alternate outlet began performing again — her role this time, storyteller.
“I never felt victimized by my fall,” she said. “The things that happen in my life — I refer to them as lessons. My intention is to be empowered.”
In May 2003, seven months after her accident, Strelkoff offered “The Road to Recovery,” a collection of stories and other writings recounting the grueling initial months of her recovery effort, which in consequence would impact the rest of her life.
Hosted by the Save the Santa Monica Playhouse Benefit Series, Strelkoff returns to the stage with “Caterpillar Soup” for two shows this weekend. Within the confines of physical paralysis, Strelkoff relates a story of seeking wholeness and finding the truth in experience rather than coming to terms with a horrific injury.
“It’s been a challenge. Caterpillar Soup tells the truth,” she said. “The point is to let people know that there is joy in tragedy. It’s been crushingly joyful. There has been virtually no change in my paralysis but ironically, I am enjoying life more.”
Though the actress has never declared a belief in destiny, she wonders about fate and how it may have caused her accident.
“I talk quite a bit about this. I don’t know if I believe in destiny but I have had this feeling that I chose this experience,” she said. “What are you going to do about things now — that is the question.”
Ultimately, Strelkoff is a person who not only sees but actively seeks some kernel of hope, even obscured optimism in the most dire of circumstances. She holds no one, not even the metaphysical possibility of fate, responsible for her unfortunate fall.
Strelkoff concluded that she would knowingly climb the same tree again, if she could. Though some would condemn that as an act of blatant hubris, it does not worry her. When asked about any benefits paralysis has caused, Strelkoff believes she has fine-tuned the art of surrender: “I am less worried about things,” she said. “It sounds ironic but I am more able to surrender what I cannot control. It is such a relief not to be responsible for everything.”
Caterpillar Soup will be performed at the Santa Monica Playhouse at 8 p.m. on Feb. 11 and 7 p.m. on Feb. 12. For ticket information call (310) 394-9779 or visit http://santamonicaplayhouse.com. All ticket sale proceeds benefit the Save the Santa Monica Playhouse Campaign.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 10, 2006. Read the original PDF.