illness

REVIEW:  Exploring the world of the sick, American Repertory Theater’s intense ‘Night Side Songs’ not just a lullaby

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

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 41st 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. 

Robi Hager in A.R.T.’s world-premiere production of Night Side Songs. Credit: Nile Scott Studios.

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.

Mary Testa in A.R.T.’s world-premiere production of Night Side Songs. Produced in Credit: Nile Scott Studios

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.

Brooke Ishibashi and Jonathan Raviv embrace in A.R.T.’s world-premiere production of Night Side Songs. Credit: Nile Scott Studios.

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.

Jordan Dobson in A.R.T.’s world-premiere production of Night Side Songs. Credit: Nile Scott Studios.

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.

Jonathan Raviv in A.R.T.’s world-premiere production of Night Side Songs. Credit: Nile Scott Studios.

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.

REVIEW: Searching for answers in The Huntington’s ‘Joy and Pandemic’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Medicine and faith and faith versus fear as a pandemic is looming. 

These powerful topics should all be more than vaguely familiar in this day and age.  However, the most recent pandemic is not when Taylor Mac’s Joy and Pandemic takes place though from its urgent dialogue, it all seems like yesterday.

Directed meditatively by Loretta Greco, The Huntington presents the World Premiere of Taylor Mac’s Joy and Pandemic live and in person as well at Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, May 21.  It is also available digitally through June 4.  The show is two hours with one 15 minute intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Stacy Fischer, Breezy Leigh, and Ryan Winkles of The Huntington’s production of Taylor Mac’s Joy and Pandemic; photo: T Charles Erickson. Running from April 21 to May 21, 2023 at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, South End.

Joy and Pandemic delves into a number of topics and it is not surprising that this production is running through and beyond Mother’s Day.  It has an increasing intensity around the pandemic of 1918 in Philadelphia, but it also focuses on the shaping and influence mothers have on their daughters.  What about doubt?  What if a mother casts a shadow over what is right and wrong?

Though the show can meander and its formal dialogue is a bit muddled at times, Joy and Pandemic presents some important viewpoints that tip the scales on what is important in times of crisis.  It is not preachy and delves into extreme behavior of those who make decisions strictly based on faith who might benefit from a bit more common sense. 

Joy and Pandemic is about a passionate, independent and hardworking Christian Science mother and artist named Joy, her new husband Bradford and her excitable, impressionable and eccentric daughter Pilly.  They are running a fine arts school for children and plan to have an open house on the same day the town is holding a parade, even through whispers of the Spanish flu to the dismay of Joy’s mother in law Rosemary. 

Arnulfo Maldonado’s transformative, layered, and eye opening scenic design is strewn with paintbrushes, framed art work, shelves full of assorted pottery and art books as crown molding and retro wallpaper adorn the walls and brass, vintage chandeliers hang overhead.  Just as impressive is the astounding sound effects and presentation of the parade with booms and pops by Fan Zhang and lighting by Jen Schriver.   Zhang also effectively rewinds the clock with American Standards by Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra.

Stacy Fischer and Ryan Winkles of The Huntington’s production of Taylor Mac’s Joy and Pandemic; photo: T Charles Erickson. Running from April 21 to May 21, 2023 at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, South End.

Even while exploring themes like faith, illness, medicine, life, and death, the cast manages to bring some occasional and much needed relatable humor to the production.  Marceline Hugot brings gravitas and hardnosed practicality as Joy’s mother in law Rosemary and Ryan Winkles is formidable as Joy’s mysterious husband Bradford.  Due to a portion of the show’s clever casting, it is best not to say more except that Stacy Fischer, Ella Dershowitz, and Breezy Leigh fit smoothly into their perspective roles.  Joy and Pandemic is not so much about joy itself though it does touch upon it outside its moments of intensity, poignancy, and insightful dialogue.  Somewhere along the way lies hope. 

Stacy Fischer and Breezy Leigh of The Huntington’s production of Taylor Mac’s Joy and Pandemic; photo: T Charles Erickson. Running from April 21 to May 21, 2023 at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, South End.

The Huntington presents the World Premiere of Taylor Mac’s Joy and Pandemic live and in person at Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, May 21 and will continue streaming through June 4. Click here for more information and for tickets.