REVIEW: South: A Nautical Musical finds sea legs with a strong cast
Through 08/03 @ Bridge Street Theatre, Catskill
Photos by Ned’s Event Photography
“South: A Nautical Musical should be celebrated for its audacious undertaking, astonishingly strong group commitment and full house on the Preview Night I caught.”
Bridge Street Theatre is taking a great risk with a brand new production of Carmen Borgia's South: A Nautical Musical directed by BST Associate Artistic Director Timothy Dakin-Dunn. Carmen Borgia wrote the book, music and lyrics— perhaps one hat too many based on what was presented last Thursday night.
The evening starts out with a 5-piece ukulele instrumental prologue led by Borgia that charms and disarms its way into your ears with its playful, delicate, toyshop allure. The group joins the onstage band upstage left and the story proper begins. There's a lot going on with the voyage of this ship, The Worthy, and many fictitious ports of call (I'm assuming), so my apologies for those trying to keep up with the details. I found it impossible and although my unsuccessful interest in puzzling out the meaning never flagged, I'm afraid I did wonder "When's this journey going to end?"
The opening number (Sorry, there was no song list provided) sets a rousing tone, inviting us to join the crew and do what sailors do: cast your troubles in the ocean. We're introduced to Wheeler (open and appealing Lee Hollis Bussie) who is on a search — we later find out — for his parents. We also meet Arabella (animated and lovely Julia Chen Myers), the cook Hurley (fun Alvaro Medina) who we assume is her father, and Captain Spar (Richard Coons who has a stellar vocal showcase song in Act II).
The Worthy is introduced as the last commercial sailing ship, but I lost the details of its destination or cargo before we were taking liberty at our first port town, Las Macas (?). The ship takes on an irreplaceable trunk from a mysterious and wealthy Mr. Pym (invaluable deadpan veteran Jay Kerr who also is in the band on keyboards) which they ignore the strict warning not to open...and they immediately discover a painting that looks exactly like an AI representation of Wheeler as a monk.
After an insanely arbitrary invasion of pirates led by the strong, full-voiced Magnus Bush, the ship takes on Mr. Pym and heads for the coffee plantations of East Labiaches. As Tom Stoppard said, "Pirates could happen to anyone."
Without giving any more away of what plot there is the excellent cast includes: Capital Region star Johnny Martinez who dances, sings and farms like a pro, Alison Davy as a very disturbing nun on the island, M'Lanie Hunter who wears a mad grin at the head of the Welcome Boat as Queen Margaret of the Amazons and Sarah Von Egypt and Allegra Coons who are most appealing in the ensemble.
The greatest satisfactions of the evening were the strong, tropical tunes. I especially like “Let’s Hope Tomorrow Never Comes.” They didn't have lyrics to match nor move the story forward in a coherent manner, but there were a variety of pleasing character songs. Director Timothy Dakin-Dunn created some vivid stage pictures and kept the scenery, action and projections whirling all night long creating what appeared to be a momentous journey. Borgia also did the set design and it was a great idea to split the ship up into three rolling platforms.
The entire enterprise, cast and band of 16 sold the story with great energy and good humor. Unfortunately, they were let down by the book which didn't give them many fun things to say or do. The first chuckle described the cook's meals as "bedpan to table" and the biggest laugh of the night came from Jay Kerr's straight face "Sailing is a pretty reliable bummer."
South: A Nautical Musical should be celebrated for its audacious undertaking, astonishingly strong group commitment and full house on the Preview Night I caught. Now that's something to sing about!
South: A Nautical Musical plays at Bridge Street Theatre through 8/3. Tickets: www.bridgestreettheatre.org
