SAN DIEGO PREMIERE “RIDE: A NEW MUSICAL” PUTS WOMEN IN THE DRIVERS SEAT

 What does a nice Jewish girl, Annie Cohen Kopchovsky’s (a/k/a Annie Londonderry), from Boston by way of Latvia do on a dare? Why, she proves herself to two wealthy Boston merchants  that she can face their  challenge of being the first woman to ‘circle the globe on a bicycle in 15 months and… win the reward money of ten thousand dollars.  

Married at an early age  and  being tired and bored  with  being a wife and mother, while selling advertising space,  Annie up and left  her husband and three small children. It was unheard of in 1984-5.

Londonderry took her name when one of the  sponsors Londonderry Lithia Spring Water, an account she represented, showed a woman on a bicycle. At 24 she had a chance to be “Annie Get Your Bike”.She was determined to make her mark, and so she did.

With book, lyrics and music by Freya Catrin Smith and Jack Williams and direction by Sarah Meadows ‘Ride’ premiered in London to rave reviews. This current version is the reimaged version of the London show. It will be playing at the Old Globe Theatre on the Don and Darlene Shiley Stage through April 28th.

Livvy Marcus and Alex Finke

Our play opens in Joseph Pulitzer’s office (Amy Jane Cook Scenic and costume)where Annie (Alex Finke) will try to convince Joseph Pulitzer that she is capable of a journalism job to provide a travelogue of her trip. His secretary Martha, (Livvy Marcus) chimes in that the one and only projector they have in the building is not working. After some mighty fine convincing Annie pulls Martha into the equation and the two begin the travel adventures by reenacting their journey. 

As Dr. Seuss says  “O The Places You’ll Go”, and go they did. 

They traveled from the Boston State House to New York City, then boarded a French liner; sailed from Paris to Marseille. When she left Marseille she went to Alexandria, Colombo, Singapore, Saigon, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Nagasaki and Kobe. From Yokohama, Japan to the Golden Gate Bridge to Los Angeles, Arizona, New Mexico and El Paso making it around the world  in fourteen days arriving back in Boston (loved the authentic Boston accent. I felt  like I was right at home) fourteen months after leaving. 

Alex Finke as Annie under a Jerusalem Tree

An amazing story teller she, the media goes crazy writing about her adventures. Can you imagine?

Mind you, there is drama, an accident or two, illness and romance , she even lectured,  along the way, but as she tells it and even sings it, nothing would stop her not even an injured leg and broken wrist. 

Alex Finke, who plays Annie, has an overabundance of bouncing energy as she singing, (there are about 13 musical numbers starting off with "The Worlds Greatest Story) dances and is on stage for almost the entire 90 minutes. It is at this juncture that we meet her secretary, stage struck Martha (Livvy Marcus) who plays several characters including the men she meets on her travels. 

Livvy Marcus with Alex Finke

Amy Jane Cooks sets are unusually creative; some dropping down from the ceiling, others disappearing into the fireplace. Some costume changes are required. Annie’s  feminine skirt had to be adjusted for her to be able to ride the cycle so they were streamlined. Jennifer Jancuska's choreography is upscale and ambitious. John Bulleid created the illusions.  Andrew Johnson’s sound was way too loud and drowned out many of the songs Finke was singing including one in Yiddish (“Lullaby: Shlof Mayn Kind”) a sentimental lullaby about her past life with her children.

And here in comes the rub. As I completely enjoyed the travelogue, the adventures and the scenery, including the different modes of transportation when cycling was impossible, the side stories pulled me away into another world of storytelling. It felt as though two different plays were playing out side by side. I got sidelined  and  was somewhat confused, especially during the segment when Annie sings about what she did for her children and of her  romantic interests . 

Alex Finke and Livvy Marcus

Taking nothing away from the actors, both do remarkable  work; singing, dancing and bouncing ideas off each  other. And watching Marcus morph from a shy almost reticent woman to a strong half leading lady/man is amazing.  

According to the Jerusalem Post “Annie Londonderry Kopchovsky will be remembered as a woman who transcended the limitations of her time and displayed independence and bravery, making an important contribution to Jewish women’s history in particular, and feminist history in general.”

See you at the theatre. 

When: Previews, Saturday through Thursday. Opens April 5 and runs through April 28. 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays

Where: Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego

Tickets: $29 and up

Photo: Jim Cox

Phone: (619) 234-5623

Online: theoldglobe.org