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Dreams This Way: Haste Makes Great Eight
Raw Impressions' Dreams This Way is a fast-paced sampler of thoroughly entertaining micro-musicals.
by
James Kass
March 21, 2004 |
Dreams This Way, the latest from Raw Impressions, is an impressive and entertaining smorgasbord of ten-minute musicals. As entertaining as the show is, half the fun of watching is knowing in the back of your mind how these musicals were conceived.
For each Raw Impressions Music Theatre (RIMT) event, eight composers and eight writers who have never worked together are paired off and tasked with creating a ten-minute musical in less than two days, when the work has its first reading by the actors. After being afforded only two days of rewrites, and four days of rehearsals with the directors, the work is publicly performed. It is literally a race where teamwork and creativity are up against the clock. Dreams This Way is a "greatest hits" of past RIMT events.
 The quality of the eight pieces is quite high; not despite the time limitations, but perhaps because of them. All eight pieces were very enjoyable; and as a whole, the eclectic mix of the personalities and themes made for a great evening. Among the works presented, several stood out, such as Goodbye Dolly, Wallflowers, Man Near the Moon, How Many Annas, as well as the scene titled Dreams This Way.
Bringing these micro-musicals to life is an immensely talented cast, with spot-on vocal abilities and versatile character work. Jimmy Bennett deftly moves from sweetly recalcitrant phony guru to a hysterically funny Singing Richard Nixon. Gavin Esham's performance in Wallflowers is a haunting, powerful treat. Patrick Mellen's best showing is in How Many Annas, where his wry delivery and powerful voice are allowed to shine.
Amanda Ryan Paige finally steals the stage in My Gay Best Friend. Until that point, she is playing more minor characters, and quite well I might add, but this funny and heartbreaking scene is where she proves her talent. Jennifer Waldman is chameleon-like in her performances, from sweet to tormented to homicidal, each character with fine shades and presence. Lucy Sorensen is simply amazing, especially as Dolly the Cloned Sheep in Goodbye, Dolly. She plays each role with impressive energy and passion, and is a joy to watch.
Director Daniella Topol keeps the pacing brisk, but doesn't shy away from taking whatever beats are needed to let the emotions sink in. Her great talent is the ability to find the soul of each piece and give it enough attention to shine, but not too much to wake us from the dream. Musical Director Daniel Feyer expertly handled the eclectic styles of each composer with ease.
Orit Jacoby Carroll's set is smartly designed with a "Laugh-In meets Tetris" sensibility that keeps scene changes mercifully brief. Geometric shapes morph from couch to spaceship with imagination and speed. The warm lighting design by Andrew Hill subtlety alluded to the dream-like themes of the pieces without beating the audience over the head.
With a talented cast, wonderfully original music, and a format that provides something for everyone, Dreams This Way should not be missed.
Dreams This Way: The Best of Raw Impressions Musical Theatre featuring works by (in alphabetical order):
Trista Baldwin, Mark Bazzone, Eli Bolin, Scott Ethier, Andrew Gerle, Jenny Giering, DJ Javerbaum, Allison Leyton-Brown, Timothy J. Mathis, Curtis Moore, Michael Moricz, Pete Muller, Dan O'Brien, David Rodwin, Mac Rogers, R.N. Sandberg and Maryrose Wood. Produced by Raw Impressions in association with PenneySeal Productions. Directed by Daniella Topol. Starring (in alphabetical order): Jimmy Bennett, Gavin Esham, Patrick Mellen, Amanda Ryan Paige, Lucy Sorensen and Jennifer Waldman. Runs through April 8 at the TADA! Theatre Space, 15 West 28th Street, Second Floor. Tickets: $15.00. Reservations: (212) 352-3101 or through TheaterMania.com. |
James Kass is the Features Editor and Database Administrator of My8by10.com. |
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