Review: JANE EYRE THE MUSICAL at Barn Players

If you enjoy very good lead voices and an excellent, albeit oddly inserted Greek chorus, then the Barn Player's production of "Jayne Eyre the Musical" is for you. The 2000-2001 musical version of Charlotte Bronte's voluminous, Gothic, faux autobiographical novel "Jane Eyre" must have been daunting for librettist John Caird and composer Paul Gordon. The original novel, published in 1847, consumed three entire volumes.

The show's music, with the exception of a single tune which repeats, is in the style of Steven Sondheim; mostly musical narrative (recitativo). Jane is ably brought to life by Alisha Richardson. Alisha is a very strong musical theater performer. Much is asked of her and much is delivered to the audience. Jane's impossible and forbidden lover is Edward Rochester master of Thornhill Hall played by her real life husband Matt Richardson. Alisha and Matt are a fortunate musical duo.

While Alisha is a musical theater soprano who could easily sing "Christine" in "Phantom of the Opera" at some point in the future. Matt is a strong operatic baritone who it is easy to picture as Javert in "Les Miserables." The third distinctive voice in this production belongs to Joanna Geffert as Blanche Ingram. Ms. Geffert is a wonderful mezzo-soprano who easily overpowers many of the other voices around her.

Jane Eyre is a sweeping "Gone With The Wind" kind of novel. Instead of the American South, Jane Eyre takes place in the Gothic English countryside north and west of London. It is a cloistered environment, like the American South. It is unrelentingly dark. At a number of points within the novel, something positive is about to resolve the main action only to have Ms. Bronte toss a monkey wrench into the mix and things become dark again. Charlotte Bronte must have been a perpetually dark individual. This may have been the birth of the melodramatic soap opera. Even as the final action resolves, the hero recovers only partial utility to his senses.

"Jane Eyre" is directed by Jeannette Bonjour. She has created a remarkable rendering of a most difficult piece of period theater. Ms. Bonjour is blessed with fine lead actors and an excellent ensemble.

The set is a series of platforms constructed to resemble a natural oak floor. The platforms have been built as a suggestion of multiple locations. Location is left to the audience's suspension of disbelief.

Done at its most successful, the scope of this particular source material may require scenic designs in excess of what may be possible on the facilities available at the Barn. The most audience friendly way to present "Jayne Eyre" may be in a concert format.

The original Broadway production ran only 209 performances in 2000-2001. Those who search for musical theater not preformed frequently should see the Barn's production of "Jane Eyre." The material is worth experiencing.

Jayne Eyre will continue through May 1, 2016. Tickets are available on the Barn Players website or by telephone at (913) 432-9100.

Photo credit: The Barn Players

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