THE HANGOVER REPORT – The New Age musical AVALONA is a vague, often stirring re-consideration of the musical theater form

Jenna Rubaii (center) and the dance ensemble of “Avalona: A Musical Legend” at the Sanctuary at St. Paul and St. Andrew (photo by Xelaarom Media).

Then over at the Sanctuary at St. Paul and St. Andrew on the Upper West Side, you’ll find the New Age Off-Broadway musical Avalona: A Musical Legend. In essence, the curious new musical depicts the spiritual journey of one Avalona, a woman torn between the forces of light and darkness as she faces down her demons and progresses towards ultimate enlightenment. The brainchild of recording artist and songwriter Dina Fanai (who also appears in the show), the show aims for a totally cohesive kind of theatrical expression, thereby reconsidering the musical theater form by fully integrating song, drama, and dance into an enveloping ritualistic pageant.

Fanai’s songs, although largely using pre-recorded accompaniment (the performance does feature a live percussionist and cellist, both excellent), is an appealing and often stirring synthesis of the hits of Celine Dion, Enigma, and Enya (to be sure, songs like “Fearless”, “All About Love”, and “Be Your Beautiful” are ear worms). Your enjoyment of the piece will largely be driven by how much you buy into New Age beliefs and practices, most notably Rumi mysticism and the teachings of Joseph Campbell (e.g., The Hero with a Thousand Faces, The Power of Myth). But even if you do resist such New World representations, the basic life philosophy behind Avalona: A Musical Legend is pretty simple and can be universally applied — to fully live, to love oneself, and to see beyond “the veil of illusion”. Given the contemplative, prayer-like quality that permeates the piece, it’s quite apropos that the piece is being presented in a place of worship.

Although a bit more specificity would have been welcome, the musical manages to be both deeply personal yet bound to the cosmos, which director Dodd Loomis embraces in an archetypal staging that immerses audiences into mythological happenings. Natalie Lomonte’s evocative choreography is steeped in contemporary dance vernacular and is beautifully weaved into the overall tapestry of the production. Joining Fanai onstage as The Weaver of Time are big-voiced musical theater veterans Jenna Rubaii (the Everywoman title role), Constantine Maroulis (The Shadow), and Maya Days (The Shaman), all of whom give soulful, Broadway-quality performances.

RECOMMENDED

AVALONA: A MUSICAL LEGEND
Off-Broadway, Musical
The Sanctuary at St. Paul and St. Andrew
1 hour, 30 minutes (without an intermission)
Through March 29

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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