Opening His Heart

We’re Only Alive for a Short Amount of Time – Goodman Theatre

 

Everyone has a story to tell. But rarely do theatergoers have the opportunity to relive the difficult journey an actor has taken in order to become what he is today. David Cale returns to the Goodman Theatre to debut his solo work, a musical memoir that is an emotional, heartfelt depiction of his childhood and formative years. He includes portrayals of his grandfather, his younger brother, his father and his dear mother. In taking the audience on this journey through his youth and the years that followed, Mr. Cale presents a touching, sometimes humorous, deeply affecting true story that’s filled with universal truths.

David Cale grew up in the small industrial town of Luton, about a half-hour north of London. In a moment of sly foreshadowing, the artist reveals that, at the time, Luton had the  highest crime rate in England. Throughout Mr. Cale’s 90-minute performance, accompanied by Matthew Dean Marsh’s piano and five other gifted instrumentalists, the audience learns a great deal about this little town and many of its citizens. Peppered with songs written and sung by Mr. Cale, like the dark, soulful “Canada Geese,” “Are You My Boy?” and “The Feral Child,” David paints mini portraits of his family, his friends and himself. As if watching a play with a much larger cast, we clearly see everyone in Cale’s life. Through the actor’s strong portrayals the audience can visualize Cale’s gruff grandfather, his timid younger brother, his alcoholic father and his loving, artistic, under-appreciated mother.

As the audience enters the theatre, they see a collection of antique bird cages, seemingly suspended in mid-air. Upon closer inspection, we observe that all the cage doors are open, indicating that the performance we’re about to enjoy is an expression of freedom. The cages disappear and David Cale enters the bare stage, flanked only by the stage draperies and backed by six musicians. The sextet seem to come and go as needed, thanks to Jennifer Tipton’s exquisite lighting. Later, Kevin Depinet’s simple scenic design offers an array of model airplanes that descend from the heavens. These represent the escapist hobby that occupied David’s younger brother. All the rest is left up to the theatergoer’s imagination sparked by Mr. Cale’s words and music.

This extraordinary performance, that elicited a standing ovation opening night, is a profound and fervent journey into the soul of a man. Without giving away any more details, this is a personal story, one that belongs only to David Cale. He shares with his audience all the pain, passion and progress made by this extraordinary British actor. Yet, in opening his heart to the audience, laying bare his life on the stage, Mr. Cale not only frees his soul from memories but asks us to join him in rejoicing in his success as an artist and a survivor. 

 

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

 

Presented September 24-October 21 by the Goodman Theatre in the Owen Theatre venue, 170 N. Dearborn, Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 312-443-3800 or by gong to www.GoodmanTheatre.org/Alive.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.