BWW Reviews: SYCAMORE TREES Premieres at Signature Theatre

It is always so exciting going to see a World Premiere of a musical. This happens often at the Signature Theatre thanks to the their "American Musical Voices Project" (the largest single musical theater commissioning and producing initiative of any U.S. theater) sponsored by the Shen Family Foundation.

Written by Ricky Ian Gordon with a book by Gordon and Nina Mankin and directed by Tina Landau (Gordon's long-time friend), Sycamore Trees is Gordon's portrayal of a Jewish working class family that traces their lives from the 1940's in the Bronx to the idyllic setting in Long Island into the 21st Century.

A brilliant ensemble of Broadway veterans has been assembled for this short run. Each of the seven actors has experience on Broadway. When you read the program you'll be astonished at their credits. Diane Sutherland (Edie the mother) was in the original cast of Cats and recently was in The Light in the Piazza and She Loves Me.  Marc Kudisch (father Sydney) has been a frequent contributor at Signature and has been Tony-nominated for  Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Thoroughly Modern Millie and 9 to 5. Jessica Molaskey (daughter Myrna) I recall her wonderful performances both at Lincoln Center,  Parade and A Man of No Importance. I'll never forget Judy Kuhn's (daughter Theresa) performance in the original production of Les Miserables. Farah Alvin (daughter Ginnie) was in Nine and The Look of Love. Tony Yazbeck (son Andrew) I remember as an incredible Tulsa in Gypsy w/Patti LuPone. Matthew Risch (The Man/David) was in Pal Joey and Legally Blonde. I'm not sure if I've ever seen just a talented cast outside of New York.

Director Landau was just directing the Broadway production of Superior Donuts and also working on that show was James Schuette (Scenic Designer)

Music Director/Conductor Fred Lassen leads a superb orchestra. He's also credited with Broadway's South Pacific and Spamalot.

The play is about a Jewish working class family, the Sylvans (Sydney points out the name means forest or woods (from the Latin sylvus). Daughter Myrna  looks at the audience and says "It used to be Slivowitz."

In some ways it will remind you of On the Town. Son Andrew begins the play explaining it is the story of their lives. He then points to the conductor and then the music begins.  

The play is constantly breaking the fourth wall.

Diane Sutherland is superb as Mother Edie, the former Borscht belt singer/comedian who falls in love with electrician Sydney, played by the incomparable Marc Kudisch. This is my sixth show watching him perform and I have never been disappointed.

The children are named for movie actors. The oldest Myrna is named for Myrna Loy. Three years younger is Theresa named for Theresa Wright from the film "The Best Years of Our Lives". (Sydney adds "What kind of Jewish family names their daughter Theresa?").  Ginnie (three years younger) is named for Virginia Mayo. And finally Andrew is named after Dana Andrews.  When Andrew asks his father why he wasn't named Dana, Sydney replied, "cuz that's a girl's name."

The Sylvans after honeymooning in Niagara Falls (Edie accuses Sydney's mother of not liking her), they move to a little railroad flat on Kelly Street in the Bronx. Sydney survives as an electrician. Edie has given up the entertainment business to care for the family.

Sydney is then off to serve in World War II and comes home devastated from his experiences.  Upon his return, the family begins the downward spiral which could use more explaining.

Why does Myrna look to drugs? Why does Theresa work towards being a writer and hate her father. Why does Ginnie marry her high school sweetheart (who not only sleeps with her sister but also with her brother) head to California and become fat? Why did Andrew early on only have girlfriends and love show music? (We all knew where this was going.)

Before I learned about the play after viewing it, I thought it was all a cliché. I expected death due to an overdose, one daughter looking into Buddhism, and a gay son having a relationship and his lover having to deal with Aids. But, can it be cliché if this is what happened?

Some of Gordon's music is just plain beautiful. Edie sings a beautiful ballad "The Last Time I Saw Him".

There's a lovely duet for Edie and Sydney called "Ours".  They sing "I guess that's how it's meant to be, when one and one becomes a three, the one you were, you are, the one that you'll be."

Following the Bronx, the Sylvans like many also from Brooklyn, head east to Long Island where they are promised real houses where every child can have their own room, there's a synagogue, and every town has its own beach club. Plus, Ma can play Mah Jongg. Even the trees are brand new. You can live on Sycamore Street (hence the title).

You would expect the holocaust to mentioned and it is. Myrna says,
We had to be special, we're the living Jews."  The only time Sydney references it is when he explains why he'll never take his wife to Europe. "France, England, Italy...I hate these places...How can it be that after a few years and we're all nice to them and driving their cars...Those same companies made the OVENS!"

We finally get a glimpse of why his children had problems with Dad after he returned from the war. There's a dinner scene where Sydney wails at his wife treating her like a maidservant and his daughters promise each other that will never happen to them.

When Sydney is confronted with the inevitable mixed marriages on the horizon and promises he wouldn't attend his daughter's wedding, it seemed like the next song was going to be "Tradition" from Fiddler on the Roof. He later laments, "How did I get this family?"

 After the death of Myrna, Sydney sings a poignant number "Father's Song".

Andrew reminiscing about the family says, "The Sylvans! Take note world: Someone's gonna write a book about us one day, we're incredible!" Well, at least they have a musical about them.

After the show, remain in your seat while you listen to a recording of  the traditional Yiddish song "Papirossen"  sung by Gordon's actual mother, Eve.  Earlier in the show, you can hear Sutherland sing the same song while at the dinner table but you'll have to listen hard.

For more on the composer and his works, visit http://www.rickyiangordon.com.

The show ends June 13. For tickets, call 703-573-7328 or visit www.signature-theatre.org.

To hear a wonderful podcast of an interview between my good friend Joel Markowitz and Gordon log onto  http://dctheatrescene.com/2010/06/01/sycamore-trees-composer-ricky-ian-gordon/.

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SUMMER AT THE Signature Theatre FEATURES:

• The musical [title of show] through June 27 in The Ark
• "Signature Sings" performances June 24 - 26 in The Max
• "Sizzlin' Summer" cabaret performances July 6 - 24
• Free Target Open House July 17
• Major new production of the musical Chess opening August 10

This summer, the Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre features exciting performances ranging from its specialty, fully staged musicals with Ititle of show] and Chess, to its popular cabaret evenings of show tunes, jazz, blues, and rock.  The summer offerings are topped off by the annual Target Open House on July 17, a free all-day extravaganza for the whole family.  Tickets to Signature are available by calling Ticketmaster at (703) 573-SEAT (7328) or visiting www.signature-theatre.org.  Group discounts are available for parties of ten or more. 

Through June 27 the Baltimore/Washington Premiere of the musical  [title of show]

The hit musical comedy [title of show], winner of three Obie Awards and a Tony nomination, is a zany take on two friends' decision to write a musical.  When two struggling writers, Jeff and Hunter, decide to submit their own musical to a festival, they find the process of writing a musical itself more interesting than any play or movie they could adapt.  So assisted by actress friends Susan and Heidi (and Larry on the piano), they chose their subject - two friends writing about what to write about.  [title of show] puts the audience right in the middle of the creative process-dizzy, unpredictable, and uproarious.  Helen Hayes Award-winner Matthew Gardiner directs this love letter to musical theater - a uniquely American art form - and to the joys of collaboration. 

"Signature Sings" Performances June 24-26

The final chapter in Signature's 20th Anniversary series ends with a bash in The MAX Theatre featuring songs from the last five years at Signature.  Eleasha Gamble, Will Gartshore, Tracy Lynn Olivera, and Bligh Voth will perform from Signature Productions including Pacific Overtures, Urinetown, Nevermore, My Fair Lady, Saving Aimee, The Witches of Eastwick, Merrily We Roll Along, Glory Days, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Happy Time, The Visit, Ace, Les Misérables, and Giant.

Signature's "Sizzlin' Summer Cabaret" Performances July 6-24

Signature offers three weeks of live music and performances ranging from cabaret and show tunes to jazz, blues, and rock. Resident Director Matthew Gardiner has lined up the best talent from Broadway and beyond for Signature's summer audience:

 July 6, 8pm
Nynth Avenue Drifters

July 7, 8pm
NYC Singer-Songwriter Circle

July 8, 8pm
Next Generation Honorees Showcase
Chris Miller & Scott Davenport Richards

July 9, 8pm
21/24: Tamar & The River

July 10, 8pm
21/24: Tamar & The River

July 13, 8pm
Nick Blaemire & Danica Dora

July 14, 8pm
Bligh Voth & Weslie Woodley

July 15, 8pm
Tracy Lynn Olivera

July 16, 7:30pm
Ain't Got No: A Rock/Pop Cabaret

July 16, 9:30pm
Will Gartshore

July 20, 8pm
Stephen Gregory Smith & Karissa Swanigan

July 21, 8pm
Sandy Bainum Sings Dorothy Parker

July 22, 8pm
Natascia Diaz with Michael Pemberton

July 23, 7:30pm
Marcy Heisler & Zina Goldrich

July 23, 9:30pm
Bob McDonald Sings John Raitt

July 24, 7:30pm
Colleen McHugh: The Songs of Judy Garland

July 24, 9:30pm
Natascia Diaz

Signature's Target Free Open House Saturday July 17 from Noon - 9:30 p.m.

Signature celebrates the best in musical theater and drama at its Target Open House on Saturday, July 17 from noon - 9:30 pm.  This free fun-filled special event sponsored by Target is 9½ hours of exciting performances, master classes, demonstrations, exhibits, and kids' activities offered in locations all over the Signature Theatre complex and on the Plaza.  Events begin every 15 minutes.   

CHESS August 10-September 26, 2010                                          

Book by Richard Nelson, Music by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, Lyrics by Tim Rice, Directed by Eric Schaeffer

Baltimore/Washington's First Major Production of the 1984 Rock Musical by the Composers of Mamma Mia!

Broadway's Jill Paice (Curtains, The 39 Steps), Euan Morton (Boy George in Taboo, Sondheim on Sondheim), and Jeremy Kushnier (Footloose, Rent) star in the rock musical Chess, to be directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer.  Written by Mamma Mia! composers Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson with Evita and Lion King lyricist Tim Rice, the 1984 cult musical of Cold War competition in love and chess is being given its first major Washington area production.  Chess features the hit single "One Night in Bangkok," and unforgettable songs as such "Anthem," "I Know Him So Well," "Nobody's Side," and "Pity the Child."  Time Magazine called it "one of the best rock scores ever produced in the theater."

For more information, visit http://www.signature-theatre.org

 

 

Photo Credit: Scott Suchman

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