It’s a shock that will take you out of your world.

Then reality sets in.

With stirring direction by Taibi Magar and musically directed by Alex Bechtel, American Repertory Theater in association with Philadelphia Theatre Company continues Night Side Songs live and person at Hibernian Hall in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, April 20 after previously taking the stage at the Cambridge Masonic Temple in Cambridge, Massachusetts through April 8.  Communal, meaningful and creative, this interactive theater in the round experience runs approximately one hour and 40 minutes with no intermission.  It contains strong language and adult themes.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

It explores the news everyone dreads.  Finding out you are sick. 

Witnessing its 41^st performance, this intimate cast depicts a number of characters in different scenarios while occasionally engaging the audience in a casual atmosphere.  It time jumps from the 12th century to the present day while addressing the calendar date the performance takes place and is dedicated to the sick, healthcare workers and caregivers by blending themes about relationships, sickness, mortality, and grief through acting, song and sing-along utilizing improvisation along the way. 

Night Side Songs immerses itself into uncomfortable and harrowing territory with patches of hope and beauty that will either be fascinating and draw you in and never let go or hope it’s all over soon.  It may not be for everyone, especially if you are squeamish about certain aspects of illness but have no choice but to get through it.  Much like being sick can be.

This warm and dedicated group showcases a number of scenarios, but the main storyline centers around Yasmine who discovers she has cancer at 41 years old in Worcester, Massachusetts.  Brooke Ishibashi delivers a raw and heartrending performance as Yasmine who must navigate her life in an entirely different way in an attempt to get well while facing obstacles in her path.  Mary Testa offers wit and self deprecating humor as Yasmine’s well meaning but overbearing and anxious mother Desiree who assures Yasmine that they come from a family of miracles.  Isibashi shares some endearing moments with Jonathan Raviv as warm and nurturing Frank.

Each performer delivers affecting and inviting vocals and their solo performances are the most memorable.  The onstage musicians also interact with the performers and audience and the songs by The Lazours are an eclectic variety ranging from catchy to cathartic to ballads.  Some of the highlights in the therapeutic sing-along include Let’s Go Walking, Into the Sky and the poignant Will You Let me Know.

Night Side Songs approaches this handful of tales with dark humor, absurdity, science and realism peppered with relatable scenarios.  It can be uneven in tone at times.  How can anyone not relate to overwhelming and unexpected medical bills and drug side effects, but a song showcasing how people inaccurately make assumptions how someone gets sick in The Reason comes off more condescending than sincere and funny.  Illness is filled with fear and uncertainly.  People just don’t know what to say.

Part unconventional love story and part tragedy, Night Side Songs expresses appreciation for the little things in life and relies more on camaraderie and community than faith and optimism while traveling to some grim places. It is informative offering coping methods with the unexpected and it is important to have a show like this to bring support and solidarity in times like these, but however I was moved, I was still left uncomfortable.

American Repertory Theater in association with Philadelphia Theatre Company continues Night Side Songs live and person at Hibernian Hall in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, April 20 after previously taking the stage at the Cambridge Masonic Temple in Cambridge, Massachusetts through April 8.  Click here for more information and for tickets.