The Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park is currently mounting the world premiere musical, “Begin Again” based on the Exclusive Media Film written and directed by John Carney with new music and lyrics by Pat Monahan and the Band Train. Book is by Jenna Clark Embrey and Molly Beach Murphy.
Filmmaker Carney has reimaged the live musical for more modern audiences just as he had done in “Once” (previously staged by Lamb's Players Theatre), once a film and currently a successful stage musical.
 |
| Patrick Heusinger and Emma Busse |
Having never seen either movie, my remarks can only be limited to the plays’ versions, and from what I saw, “Begin Again” is one big Broadway success after it leaves San Diego. Ironic as it may be, the setting takes place in The Big Apple with Derek McLane’s stunning sets including the New York Skyline with towering buildings and specific locations in and around the city with the Brooklyn Bridge, a Carousel, (horses up and down) Washington Square, some basketball courts, buildings with graffiti and all with help from projectionist David Bengali, illusion design by Skylar Fox showing floating record discs, paper cups and bottles floating through the air, and Amanda Zieve’s lighting design is filtered through soft hues dissolving daylight into twilight.
 |
| Cast |
Gretta (Emma Busse) is a gifted songwriter in love with musician Max (Keven William Paul). Emma writes a love song for Max for his birthday. He in turn sings it for a record company, and voila! his career takes off leaving her hanging on the vine. yes she agreed, but would she want to begin again with that decision? You bet your sweet bippy.
 |
| Emma Busse and Patrick Heusinger |
As it happens, she meets and hooks up with record producer, Dan (Patrick Heusinger) whose career and longtime marriage with his wife, Miriam (Adrienne Walker) and teen aged daughter, Violet (Charlotte MacLeod) go caput. After some push me pull you back and forth, and without a studio to cut a record, the two decide to take a crew around new York, sounds and all, and produce an album.
 |
| Adrienne Walker and Patrick Heusinger |
Both have challenges to overcome: Dan wants to reconnect with his wife and daughter, (“Made to Break”) perhaps stop drinking and Gretta (Busse has an effectively strong voice and great stage presence) but must regain confidence and belief that her music makes a difference in people’s lives while she and Max go it on their own to get back into the music industry together.
 |
| Patrick Heusinger and Adrienne Walker |
Together Busse and Heusinger make beautiful music (“Fake Flowers” and “Carousel”) but just when all is rolling along Max comes back into Emma’s life… but not for long. I must say Max (Kevin Williams Paul) has a beautiful voice, but is a taker and will leave Emma in the cold as soon as he can. “I Used To Know You”.
 |
| Kevin William Paul |
 |
| Emma Busse and Kevin William Paul |
Other standouts include Casey Whyland as Stevie, Gretta’s best friend who saves her from jumping off the bridge more than once. Nik Walker plays Saul, Dan’s producer and partner. So much movement with a large ensemble gives this production just the right verve to knock it out of the park in New York.
Linda Cho designed the costumes, Alberto “Albee” Alvarado, the wigs, hair and makeup, orchestrations by Brian Usifer, lively choreography by David Neumann, sound design by John Shivers and expertly directed by Lorin Latarro, Matt Deitchman (Music Director) and Bonnie Panson (Production Stage Manager)
 |
| Emma Busse and Cast |
Gretta in her own inimitable way has an uncompromising streak running through her and if it’s not done her way, in the purest sense she will ‘Begin Again’, her way.
Catch this one before it hits N.Y. where the tickets will skyrocket.
Enjoy.
See you at the theatre
No comments:
Post a Comment