LimelightMike's Quick Thoughts on IMPROBABLE FREQUENCY

[LimelightMike]

LimelightMike's Quick Thoughts on IMPROBABLE FREQUENCY#1

Posted: 12/14/08 at 6:30pm

Last evening (Saturday, December 13th), I had the pleasure of catching the Arthur Riordan and Bell Helicopter musical, Improbable Frequency, currently being housed at 59E59 Theatres. Having just returned home, I jotted down my thoughts, comments, and concerns:

As a bit of backstory, Improbable Frequency is a joyously surreal satire that, according to previously released press notes, "lifts the lid on Ireland's fragile neutrality during World War II and cuts to the heart of the tempestuous, can't-live-with-'em-can't-live-without-'em affair with its nearest neighbor, Britain.

While war rages across Europe, Dublin revels in its knife-edge neutrality as the fledgling Irish Free State tries to remain open for business. A hotbed of political and cultural bohemians, the city is host to a volatile mixture of exiled intellectuals, literary bar-lizards, British spies and Nazi sympathizers.

When coded messages, broadcast during an Irish radio-requests show, draw the attention of the British, a young code breaker called Tristram Faraday is sent across the Irish Sea to investigate. His enquiries lead him into a series of deeply improbable encounters, where the truth is more improbable than anyone could have imagined."

So, off I went, making my maiden voyage to 59E59 - A lovely facility, that I hope to frequent more often in the months and years to come - took my seat (B-2) and prepared myself for a rather ... unpredictable evening.

First and foremost, I just want to pass along my highest and warmest of regards for this slice of grand theatrical splendor. I was enthralled with the production; offering an incomparable zest and vigor unmatched and unseen. The book and lyrics amounted to some of, if not THE wittiest I've ever come across. I actually had to learn-in to catch the rhyme schemes as I was anticipating them. The score was also scrumptious of and in itself. I fell in love with the tunes even before Act I concluded.

The talents involved, a sextet of sumptuousness and resplendence that deserve the utmost praise for putting forth such delightful characterizations to the likes of Erwin Schrödinger, or the poet John Betjeman, amongst the factious lads and lasses making shop at the Red Bank, were splendid. Sarah-Jane Drummey, Peter Hanly, Darragh Kelly, Louis Lovett, Marty Rea and Cathy White, under the acute direction of Lynne Parker, bring melody, mischief, and mayhem for all to revel-in, amounting to two hours and fifteen minutes of a perfect marriage of music and verse. A delightful outing for any history-musical theatre buff.

At intermission, I made my way to the lobby and purchased a copy of the script/libretto. From what I gather, no cast recording has been made available (yet). I only bring it up because I was so taken by the melodies and the voices carrying them. It deserves to be heard, in my humble opinion, by any and all willing enough and smart enough to take it in.

Thank you to Rough-Magic for creating such a remarkable work, and even greater feat of creating a frigate for smart slapstick humor, genius wordplay, and a shining score, and thank you to 59E59 Theatres for giving this one a home for this all-too-blustery holiday season. I cannot say enough about this piece, and I do apologize if I am rambling. I just wanted to get the good word out there, and let me thoughts be known.

Best,
- Mike


Updated On: 12/14/08 at 06:30 PM

[Yankeefan007]

re: LimelightMike's Quick Thoughts on IMPROBABLE FREQUENCY#2

Posted: 12/14/08 at 6:52pm

Bell Helicopter is the greatest name ever.

[LimelightMike]

re: LimelightMike's Quick Thoughts on IMPROBABLE FREQUENCY#2

Posted: 12/14/08 at 6:57pm

'Bell Helicopter' is a tandem comprised of musicians Conor Kelly and Sam Park. I have to agree, it *is* the the greatest name. Ever. Haha!

[PiraguaGuy2]

re: LimelightMike's Quick Thoughts on IMPROBABLE FREQUENCY#3

Posted: 12/14/08 at 7:03pm

I prefer Bronx Mowgli Wentz.

Formerly SirNotAppearing - Joined 3/08

[RentBoy86]

re: LimelightMike's Quick Thoughts on IMPROBABLE FREQUENCY#4

Posted: 12/14/08 at 7:38pm

Hm. It's on Ticket Central for $16. Might have to try this out.

[LimelightMike]

re: LimelightMike's Quick Thoughts on IMPROBABLE FREQUENCY#5

Posted: 12/15/08 at 1:08am

BUMP!

[Unknown User]

re: LimelightMike's Quick Thoughts on IMPROBABLE FREQUENCY#6

Posted: 12/15/08 at 9:36am

We saw it Friday night and were delighted.

It was our second time in 59E59 but our first time in Theater A.

My only criticism is they need to work on what I think are called the "buttons" at the end of songs to cue us that it's time to offer them some well-deserved applause.

[notabb]

re: LimelightMike's Quick Thoughts on IMPROBABLE FREQUENCY#7

Posted: 12/15/08 at 1:20pm

In a post on ATC someone mentioned they had only walked out on 3 shows in 60 years of theater going.I wish I had that fortitude and patience. I find the older I get , the less willing I am to waste my time. This year I've left after the 1st acts of SLUG BEARERS OF KAYROL ISLAND , ROAD TO RUIN , ROMANTIC POETRY and now , IMPROBABLE FREQUENCY. It has a great set and lighting but the book and score left me cold. The music is simple and repetitive , the lyrics are not nearly as clever as they think and it all comes off very.....well ,I guess , twee and precious would be the best way to describe it. It's also not very well sung. I wasn't they only one who left at intermission. I'd skip this UNLESS you LOVED that British comedy THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE ( I think that's the title.) Perhaps if you loved that show this MIGHT appeal to you.

[RentBoy86]

re: LimelightMike's Quick Thoughts on IMPROBABLE FREQUENCY#8

Posted: 12/15/08 at 7:27pm

Do you hate the show or what? I know you just copy and pasted your comments from the other thread.

[Yankeefan007]

re: LimelightMike's Quick Thoughts on IMPROBABLE FREQUENCY#9

Posted: 12/15/08 at 7:29pm

"It has a great set and lighting but the book and score left me cold. The music is simple and repetitive , the lyrics are not nearly as clever as they think and it all comes off very.....well ,I guess , twee and precious would be the best way to describe it. It's also not very well sung. I wasn't they only one who left at intermission."

Is that not a good enough indicator?

[RentBoy86]

re: LimelightMike's Quick Thoughts on IMPROBABLE FREQUENCY#10

Posted: 12/15/08 at 7:34pm

Huh? I was just calling him out for copy and pasting the same exact comments they posted on another thread about the same topic. I could care less if he hated it, but it just seems to stupid to copy and paste it.