Fri 4/27-Sun 4/29
Turning thirty . . . when time begins to accelerate (or so it may seem), at least according to Jonathan (Rent) Larson’s tick. tick . . .BOOM!
In an all-too-brief weekend run, this clever musical staged in the tiny Helen Lab Theatre continued the successful yearly collaboration between Playhouse Square and Baldwin Wallace University. Director Victoria Bussert combined a young and talented cast, a crew of actor-musicians and Larson’s rock musical about the 1990s into a brilliant production that managed to be simultaneously subtle and over-the-top. In other words, studio theater at its best.
With music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson and book by Jonathan Larson and David Auburn, the show sketches life for three talented and creative people living in New York City. The storyline reveals the underbelly of artistic effort, how much is sacrificed, how hard it is to keep writing (or acting or dancing), especially when you see your peers leave dreams for careers in business or teaching. The storyline is loosely autobiographical, so we know that our hero Jon will keep writing, but we’re not sure until he hears, like a voice from heaven, a phone message from his hero, composer Stephen Sondheim.
Opening night cast members (it’s double cast) Charlie Ray (as the bewildered and conflicted writer Jonathan), Nadina Hassan (as Susan, his charming and witty girlfriend), and James T. (Tré) Frazier (as Jon’s best friend, making $$$ as a “creative” on Madison Avenue) sparked empathy, laughs, and a few tears as their characters faced tough life choices.
Musical numbers, especially “30/90,” sung by all three, and “Real Life” (with everyone) showed Broadway-ready vocalists as they shifted from melancholy to celebration with equal musical flair. In half of the four performances, the trio was played by Alec Irion, Addie Morales and Matthew Harris.
The capable musicians, directed by Beth Burier at the keyboard, often reacted to the story —sometimes proffering or disposing of props, sometimes laughing or looking alarmed. Burier took the lead with deft comic touches, especially when she offered Jon a beer and took a swig of it herself. Other band members included Sam Columbus, Brent Hamker, Blake Kniola, and Jesse Penfound.
BOTTOM LINE: A brilliantly conceived and executed musical that shows, once again, a fancy stage is nice, but not necessary with the right cast — and that’s what I saw and I’m sorry if you missed it. Next year? Act fast! This production was sold out almost right away.
[Review by Laura Kennelly]
Cleveland, OH 44115