In the spirit of full disclosure, I sit on the Advisory Board for Acting Up Stage Company. While you may feel my opinion is biased simply because of that fact, I want to be clear. I walked into the Berkeley Street Theatre on Friday night to attend the opening night performance with a very open mind, and with no preconceived notions about the show or the company – despite my personal attachment to it.
What transpired over the 90 minutes moved me in a way that hasn't happened in a long while, and I rushed home to write this review, despite the lure of a drink or two at the opening night party.
William Finn, known for his musicals Falsettos, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and A New Brain, has crafted a song cycle filled with songs about memory, love, and loss, and he wrote it in response to the tragedy of 9/11. Each song offers the audience a different short story, and a new perspective on the themes of the show.
The cast is superb from top to bottom, handling Finn's challenging score with simplicity and ease. Each performs their songs with such energy and vocal strength that it's difficult to single anyone out. Each has opportunity to shine, and none disappoints.
Thom Allison continues to prove that he is one of the best musical theatre performers in this country, with his soaring voice and ability to tug at our heart strings at every opportunity. I praised Allison for his work in the recent Songs For A New World (also a song cycle) and he continues to blow away the audience with his soaring voice and charming demeanor.
Steven Gallagher offers one of the most moving moments in the show, with Saying My Goodbyes. In it, Gallagher calls home from one of the World Trade Centre buildings, telling his wife that he loves her. It was gut wrenching, and by the end there was not a dry eye in the house.
Eliza-Jane Scott took some time to warm up and truly come into her own, and when she tackled the balled Anytime, it was clear that she is a force to be reckoned with. She was funny when she had to be, but really came into her own with that song in particular, and carried it through right until the end.
Barbara Barsky sings some of the most complex pieces in the show, but she performs them in such a way that they seem simple. Her renditions of 14 Dwight Ave.and Looking Up are two of the most powerful moments in the production.
Last but certainly not least, Michael Strathmore tackles his songs with verve and energy, and he has found a perfect balance between his more humorous songs like Fred and My Dogs and his moving rendition of When The World Stopped Turning.
The harmonies that are sung are always pitch perfect and are glorious to listen to, and attention must be paid to the work of musical director Wayne Gwillim.
The production is slickly directed by Lezlie Wade. Her work is apparent throughout, with quick, fluid changes from song to song. It’s clear her vision of the show works, and she has been able to translate that vision to the stage, which is a rarity these days. Many directors get bogged down in “good intentions”, but they never truly pan out. This is not the case with Elegies. While it’s never easy to direct a song cycle, her job was made easier with a stellar cast and a fantastic musical director.
Paul Major has put together a simple yet effective lighting design for the production, and Sarah Melamed's costume design is adequate. There is nothing flashy about the designs, but they work.
The only let-down of the evening is the gawkish set designed by Melamed. It's useful, but not aesthecically pleasing. It's large and the curtains seem to get in the way of the performers entering and exiting the stage. The set is truly one of the only things that just doesn't work for this production.
Elegies: A Song Cycle is one of those rare musicals that come into our lives at an opportune time. These days we’re consumed by reports of war, destruction and death, and it’s refreshing to see a show that doesn’t celebrate death, but rather life itself, and the memories of those we have loved and lost. In three short weeks, we will lose Elegies, so do yourself a favour: order tickets and go see it. You'll laugh, you'll cry. You'll only be disappointed if you let this musical pass you by.
Elegies: A Song Cycle
Produced By Acting Up Stage Company
Starring: Thom Allison, Barbara Barsky, Steven Gallagher, Eliza-Jane Scott and Michael Strathmore
Now playing until March 3rd, 2007 at the Berkeley Street Theatre Upstairs.
For ticket and show information, click here, or call 416-368-3110.
**** ½ (out of five)
