Musical makes a splash – Winnipeg Free Press

Little Debbie Geller has a big problem on her hands. He turns eight and can't find friends to come to his birthday party. Oh, and when he blows out the light, the world is about to end thanks to a catastrophic flood.

Theater Projects Manitoba closes its 2023/24 season with the world premiere of an apocalyptic musical. end of the line A co-production with Winnipeg's Walk&Talk Theatre, it's been six years in the making.

W&T's three founders—playwright Ben Townsley, composer/lyricist Duncan Cox, and choreographer/movement coach Tanner Manson (all of whom perform in the show)—led the 150-minute production (including commentary) to a flood of workshops, staged readings, song, and more since 2018. speaking and audience engagement sessions, currently running for eight performances at the University of Winnipeg's Asper Center for Theater and Film.

Winnipeggers love their musicals, and this original, wildly ambitious show that captures the passion of its creators is the last of its kind.

Andrea Sartison leads an eight-member group of young actor/singers led by Matthew Kozicki on bass, Josh Bellan on guitar and dynamo percussionist Brendan Thompson in a live rock band that successfully navigates the complex ensemble show's characteristic rapids. director/keyboardist Paul De Gource, celebrating his TPM debut.

The story follows the tale of young Debbie (Victoria Emily Hill), a girl who wants to celebrate her birthday despite having relocated to the fictional coastal town of Cart City. As she pursues potential party guests, she crosses paths with a rogue's gallery of fascinating characters on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Some of them include Lance Brooks (Cox), a “love-seeking” people pleaser/rescuer, who sings about his plight. Drowning in me; Oliver Wilde (Townsley), a paleontologist, is currently excavating graves, and at the same time creates an incredible reprisal. The evolution of life; and the powerful Wade Fitzpatrick (Manson) who smokes during. Lost at sea after his precious diplomas were washed away by the floodwaters.

The story is further advanced by swimming pool salesman Jackson Murray (Kamal Chihuahua), whose skimpy use of pool mats eventually leads to massive flooding in the neighborhood, not to mention the entire city smelling of chlorine, and damming his lower river. a doomsday scenario when the cracks start to appear.

The play's premise chills amid devastating floods, wildfires, earthquakes and tornadoes caused by spiraling climate change.

All of this may sound boring. However, Townsley's sharply written, clever script is full of wit and insight about the nature of human relationships, blind faith, media circuses and Icarian-like ambition.

His book is equally matched by Cox's 17 musical arrangements in Scorched Earth – the cast is at their best, including the gorgeous four-part harmonies – which help keep the show's dark underbelly even.

It takes a while to get to know these strange, all-too-human characters. A long, complicated story that depicts the fateful transition of Jackson and Miles' babies. 1996 Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament, it slows down the interaction of the inhabitants with each other — the lifeblood of the theater.

The show also works feverishly, hypnotizing the audience (at least this one) with a relentless intensity and ironically dissipating its energy, with the cast's rapid-fire text often relegated to the group.

A few contrasting ballads would have provided welcome ballast, like Lance's tender second-act love duet. Adrift, Jan van der Merwe's Miles Dufry sang along, allowing the audience to take in the high-flying tunes.

The first half, clocked in at around 80 minutes, proves a very good thing; Tightening the hatches a bit, including rubbing scenes or even cutting a song or two, would have made this a more audience-friendly show.

Still, the production shines with convincing performances, including Montana Lehman's Cindy Chase, a passive-aggressive newscaster/weather forecaster for HCTV who hilariously claims to have “seen an oracle” in her wake, ripping off 40-day weather forecasts. Oracle Pt. 1 and Pt. 2before quitting his job.

Another is the indefatigable “boat builder” Bethany Dubois, who carefully crafts her character as a vessel built by Hera Nalam to save the townspeople from their watery graves; his Nobody told me is an exception.

The show's allusions to archetypal Bible stories like Noah's Ark, as well as its message of continuing to pursue your dreams even in the “last days,” contradicting principles of discipleship and blind faith, are some of its highlights. thought-provoking strengths.

Manson's choreography/movement is incredible, including disco waves, jitterbug, “wave” and other modern idioms, fluid as the blue sea. Someone wants to hear Cox's great songs, including earworms The lightness of the sea breezewhile opening A birthday party for ghosts, and a final horror replay Happy birthday woven into the texture of the band, truly stunning.

Kudos also to Dayna Leithold for her versatile, “playsuit” costumes, and especially to set/lighting designer Kerem Cetinel for his evocative river dam, with its backlit, glowing glass panels above the stage suggesting a crashing wave. The scene changes to Lovers' Cove beach.

And then there's Debbie, Hill's definitive portrayal of a dogged, pigeon-toed character who refuses to give up against all odds. We're all “It's wedding time!” Let's take a page from this brave hero who announced solemnly. they face the dangers and plunge into life like there is no tomorrow.

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