"Living with Henry" at the PTC Performance Space
“Living with Henry”
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Christopher Wilson
Reviewed by David Roberts, Chief Critic
Theatre Reviews Limited
“Living with Henry” is a touching and challenging musical about living with HIV/AIDS and how that profoundly changes the way the individual perceives the self, friends and family. The musical deals ultimately with how one learns to live with HIV/AIDS. Clad in black and the visible persona of HIV/AIDS, Henry (Dale Miller) counterpoints every thought and action the musical’s protagonist Michael (Ryan Kelly) has.
Members of some Original American nations teach us that one must fully embrace one’s illness before healing can begin. At the musical’s end, Michael is reconciled to no longer having a significant other in his life. He allows his mom (Mary Kelly) and his best friend Jenni (Lizzie Kurtz) to embrace him and support him and, most importantly, Michael reconciles with Henry, the persistent virus that has “roomed with” Michael from the time he contracts HIV after unprotected sex with Matthew (John Edwards). But before that, the musical deals with Michael’s denial, his refusal to take the medication prescribed by his physician, his anger, his acting out, and his stubborn refusal to accept the changes in his life brought on by his disease.
Some of the book gets “preachy” (at times annoying) particularly when Christopher Wilson feels need to provide lengthy exposition about HIV/AIDS, its treatment, its effect on its victims, its stigma. This, however, is a small price to pay for a book, lyrics, and music which overall are fresh, imaginative, and original.
What makes theatre in general, and “Living with Henry” specifically, magical is that effective theatre connects with the audience in unusual ways. “Living with Henry” is about the complexities of living with HIV/AIDS. It is also about the complexities of dealing with any serious, life-threatening illness or dealing with anything one feels makes one an “outsider.”
There is much we need to address in life. The real journey begins when we have the opportunity (as Michael does) to “meet our change” head on and accept the responsibility to move on. When Michael approaches Matthew to apologize and accept the responsibility for what happened between them, Michael takes the first step toward reconciling with himself and steps onto the road toward significant and lasting healing.
Unfortunately, there is not much new here thematically and “Living with Henry,” despite the valiant efforts of its cast, director, and creative team, does not match up to its predecessors who have dealt with the same topics more profoundly. But it is definitely worth seeing.
LIVING WITH HENRY
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Christopher Wilson. Directed and Choreographed by Donna Marie Baratta. Scenic, Costume and Lighting Design by Jennifer Goodman; Musical Direction by James Higgins.
WITH: John Edwards; Gavin Hope; Mary Kelly; Ryan Kelly; Lizzie Kurtz; and Dale Miller.
Presented by New York Musical Theatre Festival and Beyond Boundaries at PTC Performance Space, 555 West 42nd Street, New York, NY. Performance Schedule: Friday July 27 at 9:00 p.m. and Sunday July 29 at 1:00 p.m. For ticket information call 212-352-3101 or visit www.nymf.org
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 | Permalink | Posted by David Roberts on Thursday, July 26, 2012 |
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