Fresh Fantastic Repeating

The newest collaboration between Chicago's groundbreaking About Face Theatre and the Museum of Contemporary Art is the freshest piece of musical theatre to been seen in the windy city in some time. "Love Repeating: A Musical of Gertrude Stein" is the product of the Tony Award-winning creators of the epic musical "Ragtime," composer Stephen Flaherty and director Frank Galati. This lyrical and lively new musical delves into the tender and loving world of Gertrude Stein. Stein not only has a passionate relationship with words, philosophy, and the human mind but also her companion of forty years, Alice B. Toklas. 

As the music begins and the rich colors of the set and stage are revealed you are swept up into the romantic world of the "lost generation" – a term Stein herself coined to describe those coming of age between the two world wars. Cindy Gold portrays Gertrude brilliantly. The dialogue and speech uses Stein's own style of repetition extreme fragmentation and abstraction so needless to say it often does not roll of the tongue easily but Gold executes it flawlessly. Gold's Gertrude narrates her own life and reflects upon the moments that changed her for good including Young Gertrude (Christine Mild) meeting Alice (Jenny Powers). Christine and Jenny are truly shine in their respective roles. Ms. Mild is following "Loving Repeating" from it's inception at Northwestern University where she was also Young Gertrude. Her lust for life and joie de vivre shine brightly whenever she is on stage – which is actually most of the production but that is a blessing for the audience. Jenny Powers' portrayal of Alice is nothing short of captivating. The quieter, more soft spoken of the couple, Jenny's Alice is the quintessential match for the louder brassier Gertrude. There is a point in performance where not only does Gertrude fall in love with Alice but the entire audience does as well. Most recently seen in Broadway's "Little Women" as Meg, Ms. Powers is a true gem.

The leads are supported by equally strong chorus of dances and singers whose talents are highlighted through numerous individual numbers. Cristen Paige (Georgine) and Harriet Nzinga Plumpp (Helen) are glorious in "Miss Furr and Miss Skeene" – a number which can truly break your heart. And we are looking forward to seeing Cristen in Chicago's production of The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee opening soon. But these "Loving Repeating" ladies only lay half the foundation for this great musical. The men are lead by Bernie Yvon (Guy, Dance Captain), Zach Ford (John) and Travis Turner (Paul) all excel especially in the joyous number "As A Wife Has a Cow, A Love Story." 

Stephen Flaherty's music is inventive and sparkling and those Broadway aficionados will pick up on the "Ragtime" similarities; but all in the all it's a fresh piece of musical theatre that has definite "legs" similar to other successful About Face Productions like "I Am My Own Wife." Illuminating Gertrude Stein's world has never been achieved in such an engrossing and fanciful manner with a distinctive score and innovative perspective.

"Love Repeating: A Musical of Gertrude Stein" opened February 18 and performances run Wednesday to Sunday through March 12, 2005 at the MCA (220 E. Chicago Ave). Performance times are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7:30pm, and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3pm.