“As We Lie Still” at the New York Musical Theatre Festival at The PTC Performance Space (Closes on Sunday July 27, 2014)
“As We Lie Still” at the New York Musical Theatre Festival at The PTC Performance Space (Closes on Sunday July 27, 2014) Book by Olivia de Guzman Emile Music and Lyrics by Patrick Emile Directed by Michael Serrecchia Reviewed by Joseph Verlezza Theatre Reviews Limited
“As We Lie Still” a new production being presented by NYMF at the PTC Performance Space attempts the difficult task of creating a musical drama, but falls a little short. One of the foremost problems is the lack of comic relief in an intermission-less ninety minute, heavy handed exploration of a controversial subject matter. Perhaps some of this can be attributed to the dramatically dark lighting which is neither mysterious nor ethereal. The characters are too serious almost brooding and are weighted down by the somber music that sometimes lacks melody and rhythm. The book has promise but becomes lost in the overall tone, never achieving an uplifting spirit. Olivia de Guzman Emile who penned the script, comes closest to defining her character of Josephine. Michael A. Robinson finds compassion in Old Avi and fervently acts as liaison between past and present. It appeared difficult for the rest of the cast to provide any emotional content in their characters, existing in a vacuum and not connecting. There is more to this story and to the characters that needs to be told in order for the drama to cast a spell over the audience. Although the music is original and has a flavor of the period it needs to be a bit more varied and possibly even succumb to a touch of standard Broadway fare. The contrived staging is repetitious and awkward and sometimes performed with no intent and the direction manages to create attractive vignettes but lacks in substance. Hopefully this production has given the creative team the opportunity to examine their work and make revisions which might improve upon the present incarnation.
AS WE LIE STILL
As We Lie Still is an Official Selection of the 2014 New York Musical Theatre Festival and is presented by The New York Musical Theatre Festival along with Olivia de Guzman Emile and Patrick Emile. Director: Michael Serrecchia; Music Director: Rachel Olsen; Lighting Design: Sarah Abigail Hoke-Brady; Costume Design: Michael Robinson; Set Design: Michael Robinson; Sound Design: Patrick Emile; Stage Manager: Sarah Duc; Publicist: Paul Siebold/Off Off PR. Production photos by Steve Rosen.
The cast includes Olivia de Guzman Emile, George Michael Ferrie Jr., Clinton Greenspan, Erika Larsen, Michael A. Robinson, and Travis Stuebing.
“As We Lie Still” continues performances on Sunday July 27th at 5:00 p.m. at The PTC Performance Space, 455 West 42nd Street, NYC 10036. Tickets: $25.00. For tickets, further information about the show and about the New York Musical Theatre Festival, visit nymf.org. Direct ticketing link: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/935242. Running time: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Permalink | Posted by David Roberts on Saturday, July 26, 2014
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