THE HANGOVER REPORT – York Theatre Company’s production of THE JERUSALEM SYNDROME is an amusing diversion

The company of York Theatre Company’s production of “The Jerusalem Syndrome” at the Theatre at St. Jean’s (photo by Carol Rosegg).

Just before concluding its limited run on New Year’s Eve, I was able to catch York Theatre Company’s Off-Broadway production of The Jerusalem Syndrome at the Theatre at St. Jean’s on the Upper West Side. Featuring music by Kyle Rosen and book and lyrics by Laurence Holzman and the late Felicia Needleman (who sadly past away in 2023), the musical is based on the bizarre but real life condition known as the Jerusalem Syndrome – a psychotic state in which tourists and pilgrims who visit Jerusalem identify as and act like particular characters from the Bible (encompassing both Old and New Testaments).

Suffice to say, sometimes fact truly is stranger than fiction, thereby deeming this “disorder” rife for musical comedy treatment. Luckily, the show’s creators have largely risen to the occasion, coming up with a pleasantly benign concoction that amiably musicalizes instances of patients who have been struck with the syndrome (one tiny complaint is that I wish a more creative name had been chosen for the show). By and large, The Jerusalem Syndrome employs the tried-and-true musical comedy formula – particularly the kind of parodic approach that made The Producers and The Book of Mormon such successes – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The key to the musical’s success is its sturdy, tuneful score, a well-crafted blend of effective “I want” songs and inspired ensemble numbers.

As directed by Don Stephenson, the York’s production of The Jerusalem Syndrome has been given an amusing freewheeling quality that could perhaps use a tad more specificity both in its setting and humor. Indeed, although the staging gently captures the giddy nature of the material, a bit more satiric bite could have elevated the musical. The game cast – many of them seasoned pros – is very good from top to bottom. Particular standouts include big-voiced Farah Alvin (in fantastic voice) as a frustrated menopausal wife, larger-than-life Josh Lamon as a quirky doctor at wit’s end, and long-limbed Chandler Sinks as a tour guide with low self-esteem.

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THE JERUSALEM SYNDROME
Off-Broadway, Musical
York Theatre Company
2 hours, 15 minutes (including one intermission)
Closed

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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