UNDERNEATH A WILLOW TREE // A THEATRE REVIEW OF "PASSING BY"
In the small town of Jacksonia, Wisconsin two kids meet. Jenny Zimmermann and Edison Wolters. They meet on Edison's family's farm land, underneath a blossoming tree. The two become friends and as they get older, that friendship blossoms into love. By the time they're 18 they're engaged and so happy. Yet, life has much more in store for them, and they quickly find out how truly different they are. Thus is the tale of PASSING BY, told through the point of view of older Jenny and Edison and young Jenny and Edison. It's one of the few musicals at NYMF this year to have a cast and crew entirely from out of town. Which isn't a good thing in this case.
Patrick Thompson is credited with writing the book, music, and lyrics, as well as the scenic design, Music Director, and Director as well (he probably understudies all of the roles too). Immediately it becomes clear that he has his hand in far too many pots. The show is entirely all over the place, tonally and dramatically. The music is pretty, but all sounds pretty much the same, and the lyrics are often clunky. Had Mr. Thompson just had one or two jobs, there might have been more focus. As with many shows at NYMF, this show is most definitely a work in progress. It's not terrible in any way. With a better book and stronger lyrics, this could blossom into a beautiful work. The running time also can be trimmed. At around 2 hours, it drags when it should zip along, so some cutting would also be most welcome. As would a new set of eyes; Thompson needs a strong director who can shape this along with him.
As older Jenny and Edison, Sally Staats has a pretty slight voice that's a bit too airy for a lead role. Doug Clemons succeeds much more; his singing voice is far stronger. But his character is particularly whiny and lacks any real ark other than being oblivious. As Young Jenny and Young Edison, Erika Navin and Benjamin Usatinsky are cute, because kids are cute. But the kids in Matilda and Fun Home should not be worried about losing their jobs today. Should Patrick Thompson want to venture his musical writing career back to New York again, his melodies will definitely be welcome. His lyrics and story need work and the show itself needs to find a more dramatic arc to keep the audience’s attention. Right now everything feels very amateurish. Should changes not be made, I'm afraid PASSING BY will do simply that: pass on by.
MATEO'S GRADE: C-
Book, Music, & Lyrics by Patrick Thompson Directed by: Patrick Thompson Starring: Sally Staats, Doug Clemons, Harper Navin, Benjamin Usatinsky. For Tickets: All performances have now PASSED For more information: http://www.passingbymusical.com/
MATEO MORENO recently won a bet on who could hold their breath the longest underwater. He won the bet, having beat local loudmouth Jimmy "Thunderbird" Thomas with a record breaking "fourteen minutes." True, part of that time was him unconscious and the other part was him being revived, but he still counts it, and is now $20 richer. Take THAT Thunderbird! He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.