This past weekend I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon at the theatre with my husband. We hit the city for a matinee showing of the new musical If/Then, now playing at The National Theatre in DC. They are currently doing a pre-Broadway run of the musical written by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (the creators of Next to Normal). The show features Idina Menzel in her much-anticipated return to the stage, along side her RENT co-star Anthony Rapp, and the smashing talents of LaChanze as well as James Snyder and an entire ensemble of incredible talent.
The story follows Elizabeth (Menzel) upon her return to NYC after divorcing her husband who moved her from the city she loved, across the country to Phoenix, AZ when they first married. Seeking independence and fresh start, Elizabeth has hit her mid-life crisis. Elizabeth is a force to be reckoned with in the professional world; she's obsessive about data and details, she weighs her decisions carefully through painstaking considerations of all possible outcomes and statistics. Unfortunately, when these traits impact her ability to make personal life decisions they present painful obstacles to her chance at a life lived fully and without fear. If/Then drags you through the roller coaster of her internal thought process by exploring to each end the different paths her life could take based on one tiny decision.
Starting in Madison Square Park, New York City sets the backdrop for all the play's action. New Yorkers will appreciate that the play brings their home to life. Set designer, Mark Wendland, and lighting designer, Kenneth Posner, were brilliant in their design, and the underlit floor featuring what appeared to be subway rail maps along with the mimicking of an actual ride on the train really brought the modern NYC to life.
By intermission my head was spinning, and I felt just as lost as Elizabeth. Throughout the musical the action switches between the different story lines of each decision she could make. It's quite confusing and difficult to get your bearings, because the story line keeps switching and it all changes so naturally I found I didn't always realize we were in a different decision's storyline until something major happened. My husband and I were finally able to figure out that the lighting indicated which storyline we were in. Once we nailed that down during intermission it made MUCH more sense.
The second act was what FINALLY got me. As the roads come to a head in each storyline, Elizabeth's reactions to life's twists and turns cut to the heart and her emotionally charged numbers were powerhouse pieces that shattered me.
Ultimately the viewer is left with the sense of urgency to take life by the horns, and to consider their choices in a different light. Instead of weighing what will fail or lead to a worse end, to ask oneself what will bring the most depth, joy, and meaning to your life. Even if something were to end in tragedy, would you regret taking that path, or would you revel in the joy you had while it lasted? A beautiful anecdote about what we make of the time we're given and the life we've got.
The talent on the stage is astounding! Idina Menzel is brilliant as ever! She is the total package of raw and genuine emotion, bold acting choices, and incomparable vocals. LaChanze is refreshing and delightful. She is full of energy, hysterical, and has a soulful confidence in her voice that soars. Anthony Rapp plays the same character he always plays…the awkward, nerdy, hipster, activist who was once in love with Menzel's character. (RENT…anybody?) He fits the bill for this character, but I've not seen him do anything else. James Snyder is another breath of fresh air whose voice and expression tug at the heart especially when he experiences the birth of his firstborn.
Have a quick listen and see for yourself! http://www.ifthenthemusical.com/gallery
No comments:
Post a Comment