Not Ready for Prime Time

August Rush – Paramount Theatre

There’s no denying that John Doyle is a gifted genius. The Artistic Director of Classic Stage Company in New York City, Doyle has won awards for his productions of beautiful “Passion,” “Carmen Jones” and “The Visit.” He’s primarily known for his much-acclaimed, pared down productions of “Sweeney Todd” and “Company,” where, in addition to acting, singing and dancing, the reduced cast also provided all the musical accompaniment. His latest production, adapted from a popular 2007 film of the same name, is now enjoying a pre-Broadway tryout at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora. With mixed results, Doyle has simplified the story and amped up the musical component.

The plot concerns an 11-year-old orphan named Evan Taylor, who’s a musical prodigy. “Following the music,” the boy runs away to New York City in order to find his parents. Lyla and Lewis, his mom and dad, happened to be gifted musicians, in their own right. Once in the Big Apple, Evan becomes acutely aware of the sights and sounds of the city. He’s noticed by a man called the Wizard, a Fagin-like character, who brings the young man into his Collective of street musicians. The Wizard gives Evan the new name of August Rush, and encourages him to write his own music. The evening that the boy is scheduled to debut his musical composition, entitled “August’s Rhapsody,” he’s finally reunited with his parents.

This original new musical features a slim book and lyrics by Glen Berger and a gorgeous musical score by Mark Mancina. With no intermission, the 80-minute piece feels more like a concert or a performance piece, with its almost continuous music and its sparse dialogue. The score is played by the versatile, ten-member onstage ensemble, most of whom are adept with a variety of instruments. Also included in the accompaniment are George Abud, as Lewis, Sydney Shepherd, as Lyla, Leenya Rideout, as Hope and John Hickok as the sinister Wizard, who also plays Lyla’s father. Young New York actor Jack McCarthy and Minneapolis actor Huxley Westemeier share the title role, as well.

The set is simple, but quite lovely. When theatergoers first enter the ornate Paramount Theatre, Scott Pask’s scenic design has captured the look of a grand recital hall. It features a grand piano centerstage on a turntable, flanked by a wall of movable screens and vertical slats. However, as the scenes change, the set, beautifully lit by Paul Toben, and illuminated by Joe Burke’s colorfully textured projections, seem to show skyscrapers emerging, along with other metropolitan locales. Ann Hould-Ward, who’s costumed such noteworthy Broadway productions as “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Color Purple,” has clothed her ensemble simply in black and white, reserving color for the four main characters. The effect is stunning.

This original, New York-bound production is extremely brief, too short, really, to expect audiences to pay typical Broadway prices for tickets. This new piece, directed by John Boyle, is primarily a concert built around the suggestion of a plot. The production could almost be thought of as a unique dance concert, because, thanks to Joann M. Hunter’s choreography, it’s a creative melding of movement, singing and the orchestral accompaniment. Mark Mancina’s luminous score is the star of this presentation, as presented by a multi-gifted cast guided by Musical Director/Conductor Greg Jarrett, with orchestrations and arrangements by Dave Metzger. Perhaps if, in time, the work becomes expanded to include more of the movie’s story, it will be a more satisfying production.

Somewhat Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas 

Presented April 24-June 2 at the Paramount Theatre, 8 East Galena Boulevard, Aurora, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the Paramount box office, by calling 630-896-6666 or by going to www.paramountaurora.com.

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