“Fable” at the New York Musical Theatre Festival at The Ford Foundation Studio Theatre (Closes on Sunday July 27, 2014)
“Fable” at the New York Musical Theatre Festival at The Ford Foundation Studio Theatre (Closes on Sunday July 27, 2014) Music and Lyrics by Christopher Anselmo Book by H. S. Kaufman Directed and Choreographed by Jen Wineman Reviewed by David Roberts and Joseph Verlezza Theatre Reviews Limited
All John (Dan Rosales) wants is to celebrate his 2014 high school graduation with close friends Chelsea (Gerianne Perez) and her brother Tucker (Alex Walton) and bound-for-Princeton Emmy (Marisa O’Donnell). Reading his post-graduation speech is all that is really on John’s agenda. Somehow college lacrosse star Richie (Michael Luwoye) is invited and interloper Amelia (Madison Micucci) breaks in through window and screen to add to the growing matrix of post-graduation melancholy. What begins as a simple celebration develops into group therapy spiced with an abundance of alcohol.
All this partying occurs in John’s parents’ New England suburban twentieth century colonial in the present. Unfortunately, the characters seem to have been transported from some earlier decade: they seem to lack the sophistication and weltanschauung of twenty-first century late teens. A necessary sense of worldliness is lacking in their characterizations and their conflicts – although identifiable – seem relatively simplistic. All they want is love and acceptance but appear not to have worked diligently to achieve those goals.
The book by H.S. Kaufman captures a bit of everything and too much of nothing, while exploring the thoughts and activities of six young adults at a graduation party, making it difficult to establish a cohesive structure. Characters rotate waiting to sing a song and tell their story. There is no form or arc so it tends to be flat and uninspired. The music however is inspired, although sometimes repetitious, and has a complicated rock feel, that should but fails to infuse the cast with the kinetic energy this piece needs. Part of this problem may be the direction and choreography by Jen Wineman. The lyrics are hit or miss, sometimes spot on for character delineation, but at other times miss the mark leaving cast members who are listening unsure and confused.
The cast is energetic and in fine vocal form. Characters unfortunately appear one dimensional, controlled by external circumstances rather than inner emotion, which may be induced by script and direction. The actors are young, talented and know their craft, but cannot transcend the inconsistent material.
Humankind – old and young alike – live by the mysteries of mythos and fable and cling to those constructs to order their lives and – clinging to their truth or falsehood – manage to separate and individuate and enter adulthood. “Fable” gives us a group of teens who seem to know what they want but do not quite know how to “get there.” This new musical is in its early stages of development and has the potential, with some judicious work, to serve as an authentic trope for the search for identity, love, and acceptance.
FABLE
“Fable” is presented by The New York Musical Theatre Festival, Christopher Mirto, and Reed Ridgley. Jen Wineman is the director and choreographer. H. S. Kaufman has authored the Book. Christopher Anselmo has composed the Music and penned the Lyrics. Karen Dryer is the Musical Director. Orchestrations are by Asher Denburg. Scenery is by Deb O. Costumes are by Elizabeth Barrett Groth. Lighting is by Alan C. Edwards. Sound is by Jessica Paz. Judy Jacksina Company is the Press Representative.
The cast includes: Dan Rosales is John. Michael Luwoye is Richie. Alex Walton is Tucker. Gerianne Perkins is Chelsea. Marissa O’Donnell is Emmy. Madison Micucci is Amelia.
The band inckudes: Guitar – Jeff Barone. Bass – Don Lieber. Violin/Viola – Edward W. Hardy. Drums – RJ Raybin.
“Fable” continues performances on Sunday July 27th at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at The Ford Foundation Studio Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 West 42nd Street, NYC 10036. Tickets: $25. For tickets, visit nymf.org. Direct ticketing link: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/935947. Runtime: 90 minutes with no intermission.
Permalink | Posted by David Roberts on Sunday, July 27, 2014
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