I always put on my forever overdue to do list to read a story by Irish writer James Joyce. His style influenced many magnanimous literary giants from Samuel Beckett, William Faulkner to George Orwell and Bret Easton Ellis. Joyce, next to Shakespeare, is one of the most influential writers of our time. The Dead is the last and longest entry of his 1914 short story collection The Dubliners. The story was made into a film in 1987 directed by the late director John Huston, father of Academy-award winner Angelica Huston. Later, Broadway called and it became a musical, got nominated for five Tony awards and won for Best Book in 2000. Librettist Richard Nelson did an exceptional job breathing life into Joyce’s story.
Set in Dublin, Ireland the matronly Morkan sisters Julia (Jacque Lynn Colton) and Kate (Judith Scarpone) prepare for their annual holiday party on the night of Epiphany. As the evening unfolds, the guests have their ‘a-ha moment’ recalling an important part of their past they tried to bury. An invitation at the Morkan party is a guaranteed good time. An intoxicating fusion of lively conversation engaged with a few surprises. Their downstairs neighbor, purposely not invited, displays his displeasure by constantly knocking on the Morkans’ floor from his home, signaling that he’s had enough. The Morkan sisters pay no mind and continue with their party. Gabriel Conroy (the wonderful Rob Nagle) heartily narrates the story with some biting commentaries about the guests. Attending his aunts’ party is “always a great musical affair,” he bellows. Charles Otte has the double duty of being director and a violinist, accompanied by cellist Jennifer Richardson and pianist Dean Mora, as the party’s entertainment. By the time the aunts’ nephew Gabriel arrives with his beautiful wife Gretta (Martha Demson) the party is in full swing. Sarah Buster is wonderful as the staunch nationalist and Gabriel’s nemesis, Molly Ivors. She quickly corners Gabriel before he has a chance to greet his aunts or sip a warm drink. Their boisterous tête-à-tête gets shortened by the first of many songs.
Just to get on Gabriel’s nerves Molly and company sing Parnell’s Plight and dares Gabriel, who hates the song, to join her. Should he deny, the guests might think he’s an Irish prick. Such a dilemma! Towering the living room with his grand height and booming voice is the whiskey loving Mr. Browne (Bruce Dickinson) who easily takes control of the room when he sings.
Gabriel’s friend Freddy Malins (Michael Franco) straggles in drunk with an excuse, which irritates his uptight mother Mrs. Malins (Nicola Hersh) by talking in high volume. Every party needs a Freddy; a drunkard bastard whose antics amuses while simultaneously is brutally candid. Happy to join in the fun, Freddy partners with Michael (Jake Wesley Stewart) and Mr. Browne in the bar room favorite Three Jolly Pigeons. The men put up their fists, stomp the floor and soon others follow. Angelic sounding Gretta takes her shot in the spotlight with the melodic Goldenhair. She immediately captures everyone’s attention. “A song I never heard, in a voice I never heard,” Gabriel says aloud. He looks at his wife, perhaps, for the first time and doesn’t recognize her. Dinner is finally served with a heated discussion about who is the greatest Irish tenor as the main course. The activity is too much for Julia who retires early but can still hear the merriment from her bedroom. Julia dreams of her childhood and her days as a young woman. Christine Sang choreographed wonderful and fun dance numbers that are light on the feet. The enthusiasm the actors resonate made it fun to watch. The characters are everyday people sharing their opinions, some more loudly than others, and reminisce about the past and enjoy each other’s company. Praise must be given to Shaun Davey and Richard Nelson for writing and adapting memorable lyrics.
The Dead isn’t the type of musical with show-stopping-rise-to your-feet-and applaud-until-it-hurts-dance-numbers or ear shattering solos that will make one weep or laugh until it hurts. Yes, there’s singing involved but instead of piercing one’s eardrums, the pitch and tone are more harmonious and nostalgic. Instead of exaggerated, high-kick dance moves the choreography is more tamed, whimsical and most importantly easy to follow. The Dead is a very moving and beautifully directed production that sets the examples of what excellence should be.
April 11 and 12 at 8 p.m.
Tickets available by calling (323) 882-6912 in person at the Open Fist Theatre Company box office or on-line at www.openfist.org. Tickets are $25.
The Open Fist Theatre Company is located at 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles.
Book by Richard Nelson and music by Shaun Davey and lyrics conceived and adapted by Richard Nelson and Shaun Davey. Directed by Charles Otte, musical direction by Dean Mora and choreography by Christine Sang.
