“Picture Incomplete” Featuring Trent Armand Kendall New York Musical Theatre Festival The 45th Street Theatre Thursday July 12, 2012
It is always a joy to see Trent Armand Kendall on stage. It is a special treat to see him back on stage with his electrifying “Picture Incomplete,” now part of the 2012 New York Musical Theatre Festival. Kendall’s Storyteller brings in his cast of characters (all played by Kendall) to affirm the strength and endurance of the human spirit as no other actor can. The Story begins (and ends) very late in the evening in front of the Storyteller’s West 104th Street, New York City apartment building while he celebrates turning 40. The Storyteller becomes both an Everyman and, with his cast of characters, a Greek Chorus – creating the storyline and commenting on the plot at the same time. Kendall tells stories, sings, dances, performs acrobatics (twice, at least), and does everything he can to engage his audience in the process of becoming who they truly are.
In a world bent on competition, completion, finished products, and “growing up,” “Picture Incomplete” is the celebration of the process and not the end product. In other words, the story itself is more important than the resolution/denouement. Trent equips his audience for the journey, not the journey’s end. The Storyteller, Clarence, Sista Goins, Mavis, Dr. Nigel St. Clements, Grandpa, Righteous Reverend, De Ron, and Fred Jr. are concerned only with the process of becoming, celebrating the incompleteness which is all of us. Perhaps most interesting is the unseen character Fred Jr. whose celebration of being gay delights and challenges Mavis time after time. It is refreshing to see an actor take the risk needed to empower young men (and women) to embrace their sexual status and emerge from fear into the light of becoming.
Sometimes simple pieces of advice help make the journey bearable when the going gets rough. Kendall is not afraid of spinning out well-worn phrases when he knows they connect deeply with the psyche of his audience. “Keep movin,’ you still have a chance.” “Just get through today, let tomorrow worry about itself.” “Be what you should be not what you are!” The careful observer sees audience members respond with overt and covert signs of affirmation when these and other self-help mantras are spoken or sung.
Kendall’s voice has deep, rich tones and he knows how to control his voice and successfully convey the message he so deeply believes in. His band (Damon DueWhite on drums and percussion; Emanuel Gatewood on bass; and Adam Klipple on keyboard) is the perfect complement to Kendall’s vocal craft.
Competently directed by Greg Ganakas, “Picture Complete” delivers its ultimate message with grace and passion and conviction: “It is worth the fight to know why you are here. It is worth the fight.” Confessing he is the poster boy of incompleteness, Trent Armand Kendall empowers those “with eyes to see and ears to hear” to exit the theatre with renewed hope for humankind and one’s place in that fabric of becoming. Let the people say, “Amen.”
PICTURE INCOMPLETE
Featuring Trent Armand Kendall. Book and Additional Lyrics by Trent Armand Kendall. Music and Lyrics by Michael Polese. Costume Design by Samuel Ciardi; Choreography by Brian Harlan Brooks; Musical Direction and Arrangements by Adam Klipple. Performances continue at the 45th Street Theatre, 354 West 45th Street in Manhattan on Wednesday July 18th at 1:00 p.m. and Saturday July 21st at 9:00 p.m. For ticket information call 212-352-3101 or visit www.nymf.org
Permalink | Posted by David Roberts on Friday, July 13, 2012
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