|
|
|
 |
"This Love" A New Musical Revue |
|
At: The Duplex Cabaret Theatre
Reviewer: David Roberts for Theatre Reviews Limited |
|
With fresh, powerful lyrics and creative, non-derivative music by Brett Kristofferson, the new musical revue "This Love" should pack a more persuasive wallop than it currently does at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre. The seventeen songs, which purport to explore "love in its heights and depths and in many forms and expressions, range from pleasant to over-the-top powerful. The cast, though uneven, is mostly capable. So what is missing? The "glue" missing in this potential-packed revue is the important adhesive called direction. The actors often seem not to know what they should be doing or where they should be moving. Frustrated, these otherwise talented actors resort to needless mugging and bouts of increased volume in an attempt to "sell" their songs.
  
And what songs they are! Chad Miller brings energy to Kristofferson's sassy "Crazy Life of Me and the song pair "Something In The Way" and "Happy Birthday To Me" is nothing short of brilliant. Rebecca Burton, Shaneye Ferrell and Chad Miller are the trio that breath life into the nice classical structure of "Something In The Way." Ryan Perry, with a glorious and versatile voice, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson share in singing what is the revue's most powerful and challenging number "Happy Birthday to Me." This bittersweet, even macabre song, displays Brett Kristofferson's considerable talent as a composer as he spins the story of a birthday celebration from two very different points of view, replete with seduction and a surprising payoff. Again, the only this holding this number back from complete success is the lack of any remarkable direction.
The balance of the revue consists of other songs from Kritofferson's "The Red House," "Insanities," and "Anything for Jimmy" (and four songs debuted in "This Love"). Among these, the following are of particular note: "Done With Playing The Fool" sung by the company; the Country-Western style "What I Do For My Man" sung by Shaneye Ferrell and Jesse Tyler Ferguson; a wonderfully affirming "Being Me" sung by Chad Miller; and the sweet song of love and hope sung by the men "City of Men." The director's notes indicate that "we have chosen to explore "This Love" without specific sexual definitions. Although this might be an admirable sentiment, "City of Men" proves that "This Love" works best when there is clarity, not ambiguity of definition. What makes a revue like this work is when an audience member can identify clearly with her or his issue and not have to "make assumptions" or "transfer feelings" from one vague situation to an individual's unique experience.
See "This Love" for the songs it contains.
Reviewed on Thursday, November 4, 1999 (Opening Night)
|
|
|
Words and music by Brett Kristofferson. Conceived and directed by Dawn M. J. Bates. Presented at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre, 61 Christopher Street at 7th Avenue. Performances remaining: Tuesday, November 16th at 7:00 p.m.; Thursday, November 18th at 8:00 p.m.; Thursday, December 2nd at 8:00 p.m.; Thursday, December 9th at 8:00 p.m.; and Thursday, December 16th at 8:00 p.m. Reservations: 212-255-5438. $10.00 cover and two drink minimum.
WITH: Rebecca Burton, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Shaneye Ferrell, Chad Miller, and Ryan Perry.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|  |
|
