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REVIEW: The Color Purple – Musical Revival

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Opening night for THE COLOR PURPLE in Dallas ended with a cheering crowd and a standing ovation at the Winspear Opera House in the downtown Dallas Arts District. 

(Company of the National Tour, THE COLOR PURPLE © JEREMY DANIEL)
(Company of the National Tour, THE COLOR PURPLE © JEREMY DANIEL)

THE COLOR PURPLE is a Tony Award-winning musical revival based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Alice Walker. The story spans the years 1910 through 1940, and the Grammy-winning score expertly infuses the musical flavors of that era, everything from gospel, jazz, ragtime, and blues.

For those unfamiliar with the source material, the opening scene of THE COLOR PURPLE may come as a jolt. The casual manner in which 14-year-old Celie (Mariah Lyttle) mentions that her two children were fathered by her dad (Jeremy Whatley) may shock you. To Celie, it’s a matter of fact event. After her mother died, her father expected her to fulfill her role in every way, from keeping house to having sex. He’s in charge, and it’s the only world Celie has ever known.

Each time she gives birth, Celie’s dad, Alphonso, takes the baby away. While she prays that he gives them up for adoption, the local rumor mill claims that he kills these babies in the woods. The one joy in Celie’s life is the unconditional love she shares with her little sister, Nettie (Nashka Desrosiers.)

Celie is willing to bear her dad’s abuse because it shields Nettie from him and gives the younger girl the opportunity to attend school. It’s hardly ideal, but Celie clings to Nettie and the possibilities for Nettie’s future as her one sustaining hope.

(Sandie Lee, Company of the National Tour, THE COLOR PURPLE © JEREMY DANIEL)
(Sandie Lee, Company of the National Tour, THE COLOR PURPLE © JEREMY DANIEL)

Even this tiny bit of solace is soon stolen from Celie. After much negotiation, a man Celie knows only as “Mister” (Andrew Malone), takes her as his wife. Being Mister’s wife means more abuse and thankless servitude, only this time with step-children and a bigger house to maintain. Mister keeps Celie locked up in the house and forbids her from writing letters to Nettie. As the years pass, Mister even lets her conclude that Nettie must be dead since she never hears from her.

Eventually, two unusual women enter Celie’s life. Unlike the other women she has known, these ladies take charge of their lives in a way that Celie would have never believed possible. The first is the wife of Mister’s son, Harpo (Brandon A. Wright.) Her name is Sofia (Chédra Arielle), and Celie is both shocked and delighted to watch Sofia stand up for herself in her relationship with Harpo. Sofia says what she thinks and clearly feels equal to anyone else, man or woman.

It’s also shocking for Celie to see how physically affectionate they are, something Celie has had very little of in her life. My favorite song and dance number from the show is when Sofia and Harpo kiss and make up in the hilariously suggestive “Any Little Thing.”

(Chédra Arielle, Brandon A. Wright, THE COLOR PURPLE © JEREMY DANIEL)
(Chédra Arielle, Brandon A. Wright, THE COLOR PURPLE © JEREMY DANIEL)

The other woman to rock Celie’s world is Shug Avery (Sandie Lee.) Long before she steps onto the stage, Shug’s presence is felt in this story. Everyone in town is fascinated by her whether they speak good or ill of her. Shug managed to escape her small town fate by making a career for herself as a jazz singer, and leads an exotic life full of fancy clothes and travel.

Although the music is great throughout, it wasn’t until Shug sang “Push da Button” in the first act that I felt the musical side of this show really came to life. Like Sofia, she does not let men dominate her, and she actually enjoys sex.

Mister makes it no secret that he is head-over-heels for Shug, and when she falls ill, he brings her home and tells Celie to take care of her. Although quite rude to Celie at first, the two women eventually become close friends, and later, lovers, although the musical does not delve too deeply into this.

The dire circumstances and the grim realities of Celie’s life remind me of the trials a Charles Dickens character would endure.  Much like Oliver Twist, Celie is born into a world where she is not seen for who she is, but exploited by others.

Trade the grim realities of Victorian Era England for the grim realities of the American South in the 1910s through 1940s, and you have storylines in which the main character grows up in a harsh and nearly loveless world.

I don’t want to give away the entire story, but suffice it to say that in the end all the plot lines are exuberantly resolved: we learn the true fate of Nettie, we find out what happened to Celie’s children, and most importantly, we see a self-assured Celie carve out a place for herself as an independent woman and proudly announce to the world that “I’m here!”

Follow The Color Purple on social media:

Official website:  Color Purple Musical Official Site
Facebook page:  Color Purple Musical
Twitter profile:  @BwayColorPurple
Hashtag for social media: #OnceOnThisIsland
AT&T Performing Arts Center on Twitter & Instagram: @ATTPAC

See The Color Purple in Dallas:

Where: AT&T Performing Arts Center/Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Tickets: Check availability and book online at the AT&T Performing Art Center official website.
Runtime: Runs for 2 1/2 hours with a 20-minute intermission. Recommended for ages 12 and older.

NOTE: While tickets were provided for review purposes, the opinions expressed in this article are wholly my own.

Hey, you! Want to keep up with me?

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Filed Under: #TuiSnider #Texas #author #musician, Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, My Reviews, Theater Reviews Tagged With: ATTPAC, Dallas, musical, Once On This Island, Texas, theater, theater review, theatre

REVIEW: Once On This Island – A Vibrant Tale in Storm-Ravaged Paradise

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Opening Night for Once On This Island

Opening night for ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, brought Caribbean heat to chilly North Dallas at the Winspear Opera House in the downtown Dallas Arts District. I was excited to attend since Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s catchy lyrics and island rhythms won the 2018 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical with this captivating production.

Kyle Ramar Freeman as ‘Asaka’ and Courtnee Carter as ‘Ti Moune’ in the North American Tour of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Photo by Joan Marcus. 2019

Storm-ravaged Tropical Paradise

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is set on an island in the French Antilles, although we never find out precisely which one. Even before the show starts, we quickly realize that the world of this play is an impoverished tropical paradise. As audience members file into the theatre, the curtain is already up, revealing characters who live in a beachside shantytown, with buildings created from a patchwork of corrugated tin. The staging is innovative, with the musicians on platforms overhead and room for 50 audience members to sit directly onstage, for what must have been a uniquely immersive experience.

The plot of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND unfurls as adults retelling a well-worn legend to a little schoolgirl who is hearing the tale for the first time. This story revolves around an orphan named Ti Moune (Courtnee Carter.) After her family is swept away during a storm, Ti Moune is adopted by an elderly couple. Despite living on the poor side of the island, she is a joyous girl who grows into a beautiful young woman.

 

MiMi Crossland as ‘Little Girl,’ Courtnee Carter as ‘Ti Moune’ and the Company of the North American Tour of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Photo by Joan Marcus. 2019

 

Island Gods

As Ti Moune grows up, she ponders why she survived the storm. Surely the gods must have important plans for her, and as the play progresses we see and hear four island gods plotting her fate. There’s Asaka (Kyle Ramar Freeman), the mother goddess, who is colorful and comforting; Erzulie, the Goddess of Love, (Cassondra James) who is graceful and plays the flute; and Agwe, the God of the Sea, (Jahmaul Bakare) who is robust and temperamental. My favorite, however, is Papa Ge a.k.a. the God of Death. American Idol fans may recognize Tamyra Gray in this role. To me, she perfectly embodies the enticing-yet-threatening presence of death.

Feels like an Ancient Folktale

When a handsome young man from the rich side of the island wrecks his car near Ti Moune’s family, she decides that healing him must be what the Gods have planned for her. She devotedly nurses the young man, falling in love in the process. Of course, since she lives on the poor side of the island and he comes from the rich side, their romance does not end well. No spoilers here, but the tremendously talented cast, imaginative staging, infectious choreography, and catchy music buoy this fast-paced story along to a surprising conclusion.

As I watched the play, it felt like an ancient folktale. In fact, I expected to learn that ONCE ON THIS ISLAND was based on a centuries-old story directly connected to the French Antilles. After all, many such tales involve the heartbreak created by arranged marriages, with lovers divided by their station in life.

The Company of the North American Tour of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Photo by Joan Marcus. 2019

Surprising origins

So I was quite surprised to learn that ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is based on a modern story, specifically the 1985 novel My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy. Guy’s novel is, in turn, a Caribbean retelling of the original “Little Mermaid,” by Hans Christian Anderson.

When I thought this was a retelling of a local folktale, I was willing to overlook the thinness of Ti Moune’s love for a good-looking man who was happy to use her and made no effort to fight for her. Had I existed as a fifth god in that island universe, I would have told her, “Honey, he doesn’t deserve you!” Even so, I left ONCE ON THIS ISLAND with a satisfied smile on my face, and a Caribbean-influenced spring in my step.

Follow #OnceOnThisIsland on social media:

Official website:  Once on this Island
Facebook page:  Once on this Island
Twitter profile:  @OnceIslandBway
Hashtag for social media: #OnceOnThisIsland
AT&T Performing Arts Center on Twitter & Instagram: @ATTPAC

See Once On This Island in Dallas:

Where: AT&T Performing Arts Center/Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Tickets: Check availability and book online at the AT&T Performing Art Center official website.
Runtime: Runs for 90 minutes with no intermission.

NOTE: While tickets were provided for review purposes, the opinions expressed in this article are wholly my own.

Hey, you! Want to keep up with me?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books & presentations take you on a FUN adventure!

PRIVATE NEWSLETTER: If you’d like to keep up with me, you might like my newsletter, which comes out twice a month. Use the form below to sign up if you’d like to:

  • Know where I speak next
  • Find out when my next book comes out
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As a thank you for signing up to my newsletter, you’ll receive a historic cemetery symbols guide I created called “A Quick Guide to The Many Meanings of Hands.” 






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Filed Under: #TuiSnider #Texas #author #musician, Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, My Reviews, Theater Reviews Tagged With: ATTPAC, Dallas, musical, Once On This Island, Texas, theater, theater review, theatre

REVIEW: ONCE – A Folk Music Fairy Tale

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Opening Night Ovation for ONCE

Opening night for ONCE,  a multiple Tony award-winning folk musical, ended with a cheering crowd and a standing ovation at the Winspear Opera House in the downtown Dallas Arts District.

ONCE musical (photo via ATTPAC)
ONCE musical (photo via ATTPAC)

Onstage Pub and Jam Session

If you’re someone who frequently runs late, make sure you come early for ONCE. If you arrive after the show starts, you will not be allowed to enter for a full 30 minutes. The show is very quiet at the beginning and latecomers could disrupt the plot for the rest of us.

The other reason to come early is to grab a pint at the onstage bar and enjoy some live music up close. It’s a cozy touch that makes the show feel more like you are in a small neighborhood venue rather than the Big D’s Winspear Opera House.

What sets ONCE apart from other musicals is its low-key production. This is a musical that is meant to be listened to more than watched. In addition to the intimate staging, there’s no pit orchestra. Instead, the actors are actually playing their instruments!

The end result is quite charming. I came away feeling like I’d been to a concert in a small venue rather than a Broadway show.

ONCE musical (photo via ATTPAC)
ONCE musical (photo via ATTPAC)

Songs that stand on their own

Based on a 2007 movie of the same name, the musical version of ONCE tells the story of an Irishman who fixes vacuum cleaners by day and is a street musician by night. When we first meet Guy (Jack Gerhard), he is in a creative crisis, ready to give up his dreams of making it with his music. Lucky for him, along comes Girl (Mariah Lotz), a fellow musician who instantly connects with the messages in Guy’s songs and recognizes his tremendous talent.

Of course, the real “guy” and “girl” behind the show are the composers and lyricists, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. Each of their beautiful songs can easily stand alone, outside the world of the musical. This is a musical soundtrack you could purchase and enjoy even if you never see the story. That said, the story by Enda Walsh, is funny, sweet, and moving.

ONCE musical (photo via ATTPAC)
ONCE musical (photo via ATTPAC)

Folk Music Fairy Tale

At first glance, ONCE may seem like a romance, but it is more than that. This folk musical is a modern fairy tale clearly meant to inspire creatives to follow their dreams. After all, every creative person yearns for outside recognition, for some “fairy godmother” or “muse” to come along and give them permission to drop their mundane reality and dive headfirst into their creative passion. And as you step out of the theater humming tunes from the show, you may find yourself doing just this!

Follow #OnceMusical on social media:

Official website:  ONCE Musical (official website)
Facebook page:  ONCE (the musical)
Twitter profile:  @OnceMusical
Hashtag for social media: #oncemusical
AT&T Performing Arts Center on Twitter & Instagram: @ATTPAC

 

See ONCE in Dallas:

Where: AT&T Performing Arts Center/Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Tickets: Check availability and book online at the AT&T Performing Art Center official website.
Runtime: Runs for roughly 2 hours & 20 minutes with a 20-minute intermission.

NOTE: While tickets were provided for review purposes, the opinions expressed in this article are wholly my own.

Hey, you! Want to keep up with me?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books & presentations take you on a FUN adventure!

PRIVATE NEWSLETTER: If you’d like to keep up with me, you might like my newsletter, which comes out twice a month. Use the form below to sign up if you’d like to:

  • Know where I speak next
  • Find out when my next book comes out
  • Learn fun historical trivia
  • Be in the loop for other fun stuff

As a thank you for signing up to my newsletter, you’ll receive a historic cemetery symbols guide I created called “A Quick Guide to The Many Meanings of Hands.” 






Sign up for my newsletter below:

We respect your email privacy

 

Filed Under: #TuiSnider #Texas #author #musician, Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, My Reviews, Theater Reviews Tagged With: ATTPAC, Dallas, musical, Once, Texas, theater, theater review, theatre

REVIEW: Hairspray is a Timely Reminder that Tolerance Never Goes Out of Style! #Hairspray @attpac

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Hairspray is a satisfying confection

While waiting for the doors to open at the Winspear Opera House on Hairspray’s opening night in Dallas, Lyft offered theater goers complimentary Pop Rock macarons. Much to my delight, these hot pink confections were surprisingly satisfying rather than sickeningly sweet.

Those pastries made the perfect pairing for Hairspray, because from the moment the curtain rose until the last curtain call, this musical blends fast-paced fun with a cast of quirky characters who, much like a hot pink Pop Rock macaron, create a surprisingly satisfying experience.

Michelle Dowdy as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray - photo (c) Paxton Maroney
Michelle Dowdy as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray – photo (c) Paxton Maroney

What’s Hairspray about?

Hairspray takes place in Baltimore, Maryland in the year 1962. The story centers on Tracy Turnblad, a plus-sized high school girl who is bullied by the popular kids.

Tracy finds solace in a teen dance program called the Corny Collins show. Every day after school, she races home to watch it on TV. As Tracy relentlessly pursues her passion to be a dancer on the show, her naive dreams collide with the conflicts of the times and she ends up fighting for racial integration along the way.

Unabashedly bold and cheery, Michelle Dowdy (who has played the character on Broadway) is perfectly cast as Tracy Turnblad. You can’t help but smile as Dowdy convincingly exudes Tracy’s boundless optimism.

Reminder that we’re ALL quirky

Tracy’s mother, Edna, is a key figure in the story, as well. Since Divine originated the role of Edna Turnblad in the 1988 movie version, it’s been traditional for a man to portray Tracy’s mom. Aside from wearing a fat suit and a dress, David Coffee doesn’t try to feminize Edna. While that definitely creates many comedic moments, it’s also part of what makes the character feel genuine.

Tracy’s mom is an agoraphobic laundress and her father, Wilbur, runs a joke shop called the Har de Har Hut. Wilbur Turnblad is capably portrayed by Bob Reed, and the chemistry between him and Edna is sweet and funny.

The Turnblads are a quirky family, but aren’t all families a bit quirky when you examine them closely? By magnifying their eccentricities to a nearly cartoonish degree, Hairspray playfully reminds us that we’re all a bit wacky when you get right down to it.

And despite their odd facade, the Turnblads are a loving family. So although Tracy’s adventures force her to make some tough moral choices, she is able to choose the right path. Why? Because her parents haven’t simply told  her to be a good person, they have shown her how to be a good person.

Michelle Dowdy as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray - photo (c) Paxton Maroney
Michelle Dowdy as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray – photo (c) Paxton Maroney

Timely even though set in 1962

There are so many messages in Hairspray about family, equality, love, and acceptance. In a time when hate speech and bigotry have made such a resurgence, I truly felt like this upbeat show was a tonic for my soul. Bottomline: Bouffants may come & go, but Hairspray reminds us that tolerance never goes out of style!

All that aside, Hairspray is jam-packed with great tunes and choreography. Since the story takes place in 1962, the songs reflect early 1960’s dance music, rhythm and blues, and gospel. The entire cast is great, and there were so many times during the show that I just wanted hop out of my seat and join the dancers. (And I know I wasn’t the only one, because at times, our whole row was moving due to audience members bopping along in their seats!)

Grab your tickets now!

I could go on, but this is a short run show and I want to get a review posted fast. The bottom line is that if you’re looking for something to lift your spirits, grab your tickets to Hairspray – pronto! (Use the promo code BALTIMORE for discounted tickets!)

See Hairspray in Dallas:

Where: AT&T Performing Arts Center/Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Tickets: Check availability and book online at the AT&T Performing Art Center official website.
Runtime: Runs for 2 1/2 hrs, with a 15-minute intermission.

PLEASE NOTE: While tickets were provided for review purposes, the opinions expressed in this article are wholly my own.

Want to keep up with me?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books & presentations take you on FUN adventures!

PRIVATE NEWSLETTER: If you’d like to keep up with me, you might like my newsletter, which comes out on Sundays. Use the form below to sign up if you’d like to know:

  • What I’m up to
  • Where I’m speaking next
  • When my next book comes out
  • What’s going on behind the scenes
  • Any other fun news!

As a thank you for signing up to my newsletter, you’ll receive a historic cemetery symbols guide I created called “A Quick Guide to The Many Meanings of Hands.” 






Sign up for my newsletter below:

We respect your email privacy

 

Filed Under: #TuiSnider #Texas #author #musician, Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, My Reviews, Theater Reviews Tagged With: anthony chatmon, ATTPAC, Dallas, david coffee, hairspray, john waters, michelle dowdy, musical, musical theater, play, review, shane allen

REVIEW: Bright Star Offers Twangy, Toe-Tapping Fun #BrightStar @attpac

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Bright Star is a bluegrass musical that first opened on Broadway in 2016 as the result of a creative partnership between renowned comic, writer and banjo player, Steve Martin, and the talented songstress, Edie Brickell.

Although set in the hills of North Carolina, it’s worth nothing that this creative duo has roots in the Lone Star State: Edie Brickell grew up in Dallas and Steve Martin hails from Waco.

Edie Brickell and Steve Martin (c) Joan Marcus
Edie Brickell and Steve Martin (c) Joan Marcus

The storyline for Bright Star was inspired by the “Iron Mountain Baby” of 1902, but beyond the inciting incident, it’s pure fiction. I decided not to read anything about the show before seeing it, and I’m glad. The surprise elements and plot twists were fun to experience, so I won’t divulge any spoilers here.

The first act, for instance, ends with a shocking event. Seriously, there were a few gasps in the audience when it occurred, and during intermission, I overheard a woman say, “This plot is freaking me out. Please tell me the show ends well!”

That said, after you see the show, here’s a great article to read by Caleb Pirtle that includes a 1902 newspaper clipping of the strange-but-true news item that inspired the story for Bright Star. Also, here’s a YouTube clip of Steve Martin and Edie Brickell performing a song inspired by the event called “Iron Mountain Baby”.

Bright Star catches flak in some circles for its happy ending and melodramatic bent. In interviews (such as this one) Steve Martin and Edie Brickell have stated that they wanted to create something sincere and without cynicism, so keep this in mind when you head to the theater.

Cast of "Bright Star" (c) Joan Marcus
Cast of “Bright Star” (c) Joan Marcus

The plot for Bright Star revolves around the connections between Billy Cane (Henry Gottfried), a budding small-town writer, and Alice Murphy (Audrey Cardwell), a jaded big-city magazine editor. As an author, I’m a sucker for any plots involving writers, so I was immediately hooked.

As Alice Murphy, Cardwell seamlessly transitions back and forth from spunky teen to a world-weary 30-something. Her chemistry with Jimmy Ray Dobbs (Patrick Cummings) was a delight, as was the sweet frisson between Billy Cane and Margo Crawford (Liana Hunt.)

Flirty moments were balanced with one-liners traded between secondary characters Jeff Blumenkrantz and Kaitlyn Davidson, who played the snarky office staff at Alice Murphy’s literary magazine.

The storyline for Bright Star hops between two time periods: the early 1920’s and the post-war 1940’s. This gives Martin and Brickell ample room to inject the folksy score with Jazz Era flair and hints of Big Band rhythm. I really enjoyed the music and found myself tapping my toes throughout the production. Many of Martin and Brickell’s songs offer haunting harmonies and beautiful syncopation and are worth listening to on their own.

Cast of "Bright Star" (c) Joan Marcus
Cast of “Bright Star” (c) Joan Marcus

Since Steve Martin wrote the Bright Star book, the witty dialogue and humorous observations sprinkled throughout the show came as no surprise. Also as expected, Edie Brickell’s lyrics were earnest and poetic.

Eugene Lee’s scenic design was sparse yet clever. It offered just enough staging for my mind to fill in the gaps. The choreography by Josh Rhodes had a very natural feel, rather than simply being a series of dance numbers. That said, I especially loved the boozy physical humor in “Another Round.”

Bright Star is well cast, with strong performers across the board. The opening night performance in Dallas brought the audience to its feet for a well-deserved standing ovation at the AT&T Performing Arts Center Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House. The show plays here through June 24th, so grab your tickets before it’s too late!

Cast of "Bright Star" (c) Joan Marcus
Cast of “Bright Star” (c) Joan Marcus

Follow #BrightStar on social media:

Official website: Bright Star
Twitter profile: @BrightStarBway
Hashtag for social media: #BrightStar
AT&T Performing Arts Center on Twitter & Instagram: @ATTPAC

See Bright Star in Dallas:

Where: AT&T Performing Arts Center/Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Tickets: Check availability and book online at the AT&T Performing Art Center official website.
Runtime: Runs for 2 1/2 hrs, with a 15-minute intermission.

PLEASE NOTE: While tickets were provided for review purposes, the opinions expressed in this article are wholly my own.

Hey, you! Want to keep up with me?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books & presentations take you on a FUN adventure!

PRIVATE NEWSLETTER: If you’d like to keep up with me, you might like my newsletter, which comes out twice a month. Use the form below to sign up if you’d like to know:

  • What I’m up to
  • Where I’m speaking next
  • When my next book comes out
  • What’s going on behind the scenes
  • Any other fun news!

As a thank you for signing up to my newsletter, you’ll receive a historic cemetery symbols guide I created called “A Quick Guide to The Many Meanings of Hands.” 






Sign up for my newsletter below:

We respect your email privacy

 

Filed Under: #TuiSnider #Texas #author #musician, Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, My Reviews, Theater Reviews Tagged With: ATTPAC, bright star, Dallas, edie brickell, musical, musical theater, play, review, steve martin

REVIEW: Fun Home is Heart-wrenching, Poetic & Funny @attpac #FunHome

by 1 Comment

Fun Home: Opening Night Ovation in Dallas

Fun Home, which won five Tony Awards (including Best Musical) is an engaging and unusual coming-of-age tale. The show is now playing in Dallas, Texas where it opened to a cheering crowd and standing ovation last night.

The National Tour Company of Fun Home (c) Joan Marcus
The National Tour Company of Fun Home (c) Joan Marcus

Fun Home: A Cartoonist’s Life Story

Fun Home is an original musical play based on the best-selling graphic memoir Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic  written and drawn by cartoonist, Alison Bechdel. The story is revealed through the eyes of Alison Bechdel during three pivotal stages in her life: as a 10-year-old girl, a college freshman, and as an adult in her 40’s.

Despite hopping through several decades, Fun Home’s non-linear storyline is expertly woven together. Even though there are times when all three Alisons appear on stage together, it was handled so smoothly that I was never once confused as the to the time and place.

Young Alison (played alternately by Carly Gold and Jadyn Schwartz) simply wants to connect with her father through playing games and spending time together. The funeral home where he works part-time is the “fun home” referred to by the title of the play.

Teenage Alison (Abby Corrigan) remains close to her dad, a high school English teacher who sends her books to discuss over the phone and through letters. However, when Alison realizes she is a lesbian and tries to come out to her family, their reaction to her is baffling.

Grown up Alison (Kate Shindle), is able to sift through the past with much more clarity. Only now can she make sense of the puzzling events of her earlier life, such as her father’s conflicts as a closeted homosexual, and her mother’s grief over his many gay affairs.

Carly Gold as 'Small Alison,' Robert Petkoff as 'Bruce' and Kate Shindle as ‘Alison’ in Fun Home (c) Joan Marcus
Carly Gold as ‘Small Alison,’ Robert Petkoff as ‘Bruce’ and Kate Shindle as ‘Alison’ in Fun Home (c) Joan Marcus

Surprisingly Funny

Don’t let my plot summary scare you off! While Fun Home explores deep emotions, including grief, pain and denial, it is not heavy or depressing. Perhaps this is because the story never points fingers, lays blame or paints anyone as “the bad guy.”

In fact, the audience and I laughed several times throughout the show. I should point out that the humor in Fun Home comes not through slapstick antics. What makes this show funny is the same thing that make it heart-wrenching; it’s matter of fact honesty. When the college age Alison tries to be cool and it falls flat, for instance, I laughed and cringed for her at the same time.

I have not yet read the graphic memoir upon which Fun Home is based, but I can only assume that the powerful book and lyrics created by Lisa Kron for this stage play are due in a large part to the emotional power of the source material from Alison Bechdel, herself.

Abby Corrigan as ‘Medium Alison,’ (Caroline Murrah in background as ‘Joan.’) (c) Joan Marcus
Abby Corrigan as ‘Medium Alison,’ (Caroline Murrah in background as ‘Joan.’) (c) Joan Marcus

Fun Home: Poetic and Immersive

Although Fun Home includes singing and dancing, this play is not your usual song and dance affair. Yes, the actors sing and dance, but it’s handled differently than you’d expect. Unlike traditional dance, the choreography by Danny Mefford, serves to amplify and express the storyline rather than remind us we are watching a play.

The haunting music composed by Jeanine Tesori and played by a small on-stage group of musicians was equally immersive. At times, the Fun Home orchestra blended so seamlessly with the play that I was barely aware of it on a conscious level. I really enjoyed the effect this had. It’s hard to explain, but as we walked out of the theater last night, I told my husband that it felt as if I had just watched a poem set to music rather than a Broadway musical!

(From L) Carly Gold as 'Small Alison', Luké Barbato Smith as 'Christian' and Henry Boshart as 'John' in Fun Home (c) Joan Marcus
(From L) Carly Gold as ‘Small Alison’, Luké Barbato Smith as ‘Christian’ and
Henry Boshart as ‘John’ in Fun Home (c) Joan Marcus

Engaging Coming of Age Tale

Obviously, not every audience member will directly relate to a lesbian cartoonist with a closeted gay father, but that’s not the point. What makes Fun Home so relatable is how honestly it lays out the emotions in Alison Bechdel’s family, especially the many layers to her relationship with her father.

Fun Home makes us ponder the mysteries in our own families, how even our closest family members can remain strangers at some level, and inspires us to think of how we might be enriched through thoughtful examination of our own childhood memories. I really enjoyed Fun Home, and I urge you to check it out when it visits a town near you!

Kate Shindle as 'Alison' and Robert Petkoff as 'Bruce' in Fun Home (c) Joan Marcus
Kate Shindle as ‘Alison’ and Robert Petkoff as ‘Bruce’ in Fun Home (c) Joan Marcus

Follow FUN HOME on social media:

Official website: Fun Home Broadway
Twitter profile: @FunHomeMusical
Hashtag for social media: #FunHome
AT&T Performing Arts Center on Twitter & Instagram: @ATTPAC

See FUN HOME in Dallas:

Where: AT&T Performing Arts Center/Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201
When: Through September 24, 2017
Tickets: Check availability and book online at the AT&T Performing Art Center official website.
Runtime: Runs for 1 hour and 45 minutes, with no intermission.

NOTE: While tickets were provided for review purposes, the opinions expressed in this article are wholly my own.

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Filed Under: #TuiSnider #Texas #author #musician, Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, My Reviews, Theater Reviews Tagged With: coming of age, Dallas, lesbian, memoir, musical, review, Texas

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