Yearning for Fame and Fortune

Queen of the Mist – Firebrand Theatre

Tired of living from hand to mouth, 63-year-old Anna Edson Taylor decided that, in an early twentieth century world dominated by men, she would be the one woman who’d achieve celebrity and fortune with a single unconventional act. Mrs. Taylor desperately wanted celebrity and her own piece of the pie. She yearned for her share of fame and fortune, while also striking a blow for feminism. Convinced that with careful scientific research she could become the first person to successfully go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. After hiring Frank Russell, a smooth-talking, wheeler-dealer of a manager and promoter, she carefully researched and drew up detailed plans for a barrel-like vehicle that would allow her to safely take the fateful plunge.

In Michael John LaChiusa’s sung-through, two-act musical, we learn what drove Anna Taylor to plan and ultimately achieve such a crazy, death-defying stunt. He paints a vivid portrait of a feisty, powerfully passionate older woman, whose attempts at teaching classes around the Upstate New York area had continually resulted in failure. How and why Mrs. Taylor arrives at her decision to shoot the Falls is the subject of LaChiusa’s 2011 chamber musical. The story is as thin as water but, as in his “Marie Christine” and “The Wild Party,” it’s the playwright’s dramatic depiction of his heroine that mesmerizes.

LaChiusa’s musical offers some lovely musical motifs, but his lyrics and story soon become repetitive. Actually, with a bit of choice editing, this musical could be a very powerful one-act. The second act is long, anticlimactic and much ado about nothing. Once Anna Taylor shoots the Falls, in an energetic and exciting Act I finale, it’s pretty much downhill from there and not much more happens. Mrs. Taylor is booked on a lecture tour, whereupon she meets and is snubbed by Carrie Nation. She encounters a young man, who’s been a big fan of hers all his life, and is about to go off to War. Mrs. Taylor fires and hires new managers, decides that repeating her daredevil feat would be redundant, and ultimately dies penniless and is buried in a pauper’s grave.

Firebrand Theatre is committed to employing and empowering women, both on and off the stage, in their mission to present the best in professional theatre. In addition to casting a talented group of seven actor/singers, this show features a gifted backstage orchestra, as well, who make LaChiusa’s score sing. Elizabeth Margolius, whose past artistic achievements have included “Machinal” at the Greenhouse and “The Anarchist’s Songbook” at Underscore Theatre, directs this movement-based musical. She’s infused her production with lyrical beauty and a profound dignity. Partnering with brilliant Musical Director Charlotte Rivard-Hoster, who helmed “The Wizard of Oz” at Paramount and “Fun Home” at Victory Gardens, the strength of this production is truly its music. And the melodious sound produced, both by orchestra, the ensemble and each individual talent is gorgeous.

Actress Barbara E. Robertson, a legend herself of Windy City theatre and beyond, magnificently stars at Anna Edson Taylor. Ms. Robertson is opulent. She’s the consummate leading lady, honestly portraying this long-forgotten, passionately determined heroine with grace and grandeur. Ms. Robertson’s powerful  performance will mesmerize theatergoers. And despite terrific performances by a six-member ensemble, they won’t be able to take their eyes off of this ball of energy.

A recent standout in Refuge Theatre’s production of “Hands on a Hardbody, Max J. Cervantes is magnetic and properly smarmy as Frank Russell. Powerhouse performer Neala Barron brings pathos to Jane, Mrs. Taylor’s younger sister, among other roles. Liz Bollar is terrific as Anna’s New Manager, as well as in other cameo roles. Maryam Abdi delights as The Barker, Hannah Starr is excellent as the Young Soldier and the always luminous Liz Chidester is resplendent as Carrie Nation, along with other characters.

Michael John LeChiusa’s musical musing about the seductive power of achieving fame and fortune has been given a powerful, respectable Chicago premiere by Firebrand Theatre. Beautifully directed with stark focus and poetic lyricism by Elizabeth Margolius, and intimately staged within Lauren M. Nichols’ creative, barrel-like scenic design, this musical is sumptuously lit by Cat Wilson. The musical, which sports a magnificent cast led by Chicago theatrical legend, Barbara E. Robertson, and musically supported by Charlotte Rivard-Hoster’s powerful backstage orchestra, shows us a woman who learns, too late, that yearning for fame and fortune may not be life’s ultimate goal.

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented May 26-July 6 by Firebrand Theatre at the Den Theatre’s Janet Bookspan Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago

Tickets are available in person at the Den Theatre box office or by going to www.firebrandtheatre.org.

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