***MINOR SPOILERS***
Ok, I have to say, after my last few years of experiencing Chicago theatre, I went in highly skeptical, but I was very pleasantly surprised. This show is so much FUN! The intimate atmosphere, small stage and use of actor/musicians all worked in harmony with the script and score to create a charming voyeuristic view into a brief chapter in Rob's love life. There's not much to the story (there never really was to begin with) which is why this little show should never have been thrown upon a big stage. Even the big screen could not translate the first-person narrative addressed directly to the audience while keeping them at arm's length, which only comes off as smug and self-indulgent. By compressing everything to such a small scale and putting the audience into the lap of the cast, we feel as if we're genuinely welcomed into Rob's world (and Rob's mind) and we get a sharper, more focused understanding of his emotions and thought process. Having the cast double as band members in the record shop reinforces the importance of music in the lives of these characters in a way that doesn't feel as cutesy-quirky as before. While there are some lighting and sound glitches that need to be worked out, the cast really dives into the show with total commitment and delivers a production that has so much heart, it's practically impossible not to fall in love with it. The cast is wonderful. While they are not all perfect singers, it actually works because we know from the beginning we're dealing with very imperfect characters. The acting, singing and staging are all very balanced and the director has played to everyone's strengths and weaknesses. And Michael Mahler as Dick practically steals the show.
My only criticisms are more technical than anything else. It's sort of sad that it has to share the banquet hall with Tony and Tina's Wedding as I wish the set decoration could be a bit more detailed and filled out. It doesn't need to be excessive, but it needs a bit more professional polish to help mask the awkwardness of some of the surroundings. I know it's a huge challenge to create something that has to be so temporary, but it looks unfinished. The costumes are fine with the exception of Liz's penultimate costume. That crazy Jersey bridesmaid black skirt HAS TO GO and throwing an ill-fitted jacket over it only makes it absurdly distracting. I'm sorry if someone really believes it's pretty, but it looks like it was yanked out of the Tony and Tina's costume shop at the last minute. And the sound levels still need adjusting as we had some trouble hearing Laura at times. But these are quibbles as none of them truly interfered with our enjoyment of the show. We had a great time and it was clear the audience really enjoyed it. I hope this show takes off running. I just wish it could find a more permanent home somewhere in the theatre district such as the Loop Theatre. It deserves a long healthy run. I highly recommend it and I'll probably go see it again myself. I'd like to see it later in the run when it has had more time to settle.
Oh yeah, and as a musical, it works. We actually did leave the theatre humming the tunes.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
Updated On: 8/28/09 at 10:37 AM
