Interludes

VIEWPOINTS – Finding musical escapism Off-Broadway: MAMA I’M A BIG GIRL NOW and KAFKAESQUE!

• By drediman
• November 16, 2024
• No Comments

To further get my mind off of recent events, I’ve turned to musical theater (among other things) to find escape. In this pursuit, I came across two Off-Broadway offerings that I can safely recommend. As always, read on for my thoughts.

MAMA I’M A BIG GIRL NOW
New World Stages
Through December 8

First up at New World Stages is Mama I’m a Big Girl Now (RECOMMENDED). More cabaret-like love-fest than fully-staged legitimate musical theater, the production is in essence a joyous reunion of and tribute to Hairspray original cast members Laura Bell Bundy, Kerry Butler, and Marissa Jaret Winokur. Now all mothers, each of their careers have blossomed nicely since appearing in the ebullient Tony-winning musical just about two decades ago (the exuberant Bundy went on to lead the musical adaptation of Legally Blonde and dabble in the country music industry, the ever-youthful Butler continued her illustrious career as a musical theater actress of note, and the Merman-esque Winokur found success as a reality television personality). Each brings a different energy to the table, which comes across wonderfully both in contrast and in harmony with the other two. Over the course of the upbeat 90-minute affair, they emphatically demonstrate that they respectively still have it, enthusiastically performing retrospective numbers from their hit shows as if to prove that time has somehow stood still (Butler in particular proved enchantingly ageless). All-in-all, the show was diverting and a heartfelt “girl power” homage to show business, enduring friendship, and life-changing motherhood.

KAFKAESQUE!
Theatre 154
Closed

Last weekend, I also had the opportunity to catch the final performance of the new musical Kafkaesque (RECOMMENDED) at Theatre 154 (formerly known as the New Ohio Theatre). The brainchild of James Harvey — who penned the show’s book, music, and lyrics, as well as starred in the show — the work arrived Off-Broadway after enjoying a developmental run at the 2023 edition. New York Theater Festival. In short, the piece utilizes elements of cabaret and musical satire, mashing a number of Franz’s Kafka’s literary works — namely The Metamorphosis, The Trial, and The Castle — to tell the story of a modern day family attempting to navigate the absurdity of American society. Although audiences who have read at least one of Kafka’s stories will draw an easier connection to the work, there’s undeniable quality and wit underlying this silly cautionary tale  despite the strange premise of the overall endeavor. In this and other respects, the musical calls to mind Urinetown — which is high praise. There was also much to appreciate about the broad comic performances from the recently completed run, which did an inspired job of poking fun at contemporary life while crafting characters that managed to transcend sketch comedy. In addition to writing the show, Harvey also appeared in it as as none other than Kafka, dryly narrating the show in an amusingly deadpan manner. Kafkaesque was directed by Ashley Brooke Monroe, whose animated staging was the epitome of scrappy downtown theater.