A PERSONAL SONGBOOK GIVES MOSAIC A CHANCE TO ENTERTAIN MUSICALLY

Posted on 28. Feb, 2010 by Howard Salus in The Arts Reviews

By Ron Levitt
ENV Magazine/
Florida Media News

All I kept thinking during this most unusual production called Make Me A Song: The Music of William Finn at Mosaic Theatre In Plantation the other evening is “gee, this is fun…lots of musical talent…… certainly something unexpected” from this tiny showcase which most often is recognized for outstanding drama.

By evening’s end, the verdict was in! Not only does Artistic Director Richard Jay Simon excel in selecting topnotch drama, but can do the totally unexpected – a rare theatrical musical – filled with enough laughs and story-line to provide nearly 90 minutes of complete enjoyment. The standing ovation for the four talented music-makers ( five if you count Musical Director David Nagy on the piano) and its technical staff and crew proved my thinking was right on target —either this audience really liked this show or there were a lot of relatives in the audience.

If this were a showcase featuring memorable theatrical tunes of most modern-day American composers we know – George Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter. John Kander and Fred Ebb (of Chicago fame). we wouldn’t blink twice by attending a showcase of a music man who is mostly known among Broadway insiders. Just, who the heck is this guy – William Finn ? And, why is this semi-autobiographical story so interesting? What is so extraordinary about the music and lyrics about a guy who left his wife and child to be with another man? And, what of such honest an revealing lyrics? Does he really come across as “brilliant” as described by none other than the New York Times or does it reveal another side to the composer of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Finn labels himself in words and music as a Jewish, bisexual, neurotic , composer. He is all of the above –And more! He became known to the Broadway crowd about 18 years ago when his vocalizing cast did a mixture of humorous and serious songs – and -won the Tony Awards for best book and best score for Falsettoland and Falsettos. A medley of his songs called the Falsetto Suite is just one brilliant section of Make Me A Song. Finn actually recreates highlights from his Tony-winning 1992 success.

The rest of the show – in non stop music created by himself and his co-writer James Lapine –permeates with his gay guy behavior and his Jewish background. There are, of course, some funny moments. Who but Finn would feature a wonderful song describing his after-college hitchhiking/ travelling across America, with a sign”I like boys?” And, who but Finn would have his entire company explain “We’re watching Jewish boys who can’t play baseball play baseball! “

Some may find such music and lyrics frivolous but there are sad moments and uplifting ones. Finn sees his ex wife and son, his boyfriend and his spouse as “family.” This may not be a general definition but his delightful cast – Stephen G. Anthony, Patti Gardner, Julie Kleiner and Joey Zangardi – take you into the composer’s mind-set from both his successful Broadway and Off-Broadway show as well as delving into his real-time life. Whether singing about the time he went fishing with his dad….childhood memories of a Passover seder……or a show-running musical gag about Republicans that even may allow homophobic politicians to chuckle….or his philosophy of love as expressed in “Anytime” may bring a tear or two to your eyes,

Richard Jay Simon is a rare artistic director. For this show, he brings in a guest director to share in the applause. Michael Larsen, who has a 25 year history in music direction , acting and teaching took over managing the onstage foursome – all four of who transformed Mosaic’s dramatic stage into a musical enclave. One can only hope that Simon can find other musical treats for future offerings. This show is the kind that theatre insiders love with high hopes it grants the same feeling to others beyond mid-town Manhattan.

Traci Almedia deserves kudos for the sound technical magic and Travis Neff as always gets you in the right frame of mind with his lighting. The simple set by Douglas Grinn sets the pace for this realistic musical journey.

But most of all, Make Me A Song is William Finn’s show. You might wonder why he decided to write a show with such brutal honesty; but you will be glad he did!

The show runs through March 21. Call 954 577-8243 or go online to www.mosaictheatre.com.

Tags: music, theater