Songbook, as I need to remind myself to remind you from time to time, is a program that highlights the work of up and coming composers and lyricists or, as in this particular case, new work from already established composers and lyricists. The featured duo on Monday evening was Joshua Salzman and Ryan Cunningham, featuring selections from The Legend of New York. On hand were five principals and an ensemble of ten vocalists, with Mr. Cunningham (I hope I got that right) serving as narrator.
The gist of the plot of the morality play is that Abe, a disillusioned New Yorker, is saddled with the job of finding three worthy souls in order to save New York from destruction (haggling was involved). The Angel of the Waters, a wisecracking guardian angel, is the one who sets him on his quest. So Abe has to present the three worthies at the top of the city within a prescribed time frame. Oh, yeah. There will also be an Act of God thrown in as a monkey wrench. The Act of God turns out to be the 1977 New York City blackout. This is important, as it flavors some of the compositional styles. The opening number had real harmony! from the ensemble members, with the Angel laying out in no uncertain terms “That’s New York.”
We then hear “Heavenly House on a Hill,” sung by Abe (with his wife, Sarah). This was a wishful, seeing-the-positive-side-of-things song, with some nice humor and a good setting of sung speech. “Get Gone” and “Cloud 54” were set clearly in the rock genre, which makes perfect sense, since they’re set in and around Studio 54 in 1977. “Not for You” was a Disco Diva–style number that definitely channeled “I Will Survive.” And—end Act I.
Act II finds Abe trekking with the three worthy souls up to Inwood Park, the top of New York City. Then he learns that the Guardian Angel really meant the top of the World Trade Center. At that point, the blackout hits, and they need to get all the way downtown and to the top of the Towers. A rioter leads the ensemble in “Get a Load of This,” which neatly outlines the fears and unpredictability of the blackout. Between dealing with the rioters and a mysterious man, one of the worthies is shot and killed. With only two worthy souls delivered, the Angel says, “No deal.”
Sarah sings a rather pleasant ballad, “Him,” and Abe’s brother and the Disco Diva (the other two worthies) decide to back out and try their luck with NYC once the deal with the Guardian Angel is off. Abe is offered a chance to be swept up to heaven with Sarah, but he too decides to stick with NYC, in the power ballad “The Sun Rises Again.” And “Heaven Can Wait,” a slightly lightweight duet, in my consideration, has Abe and Sarah committed to New York, come what may.
As mentioned earlier, these writers are seasoned a bit more than some others I’ve seen and heard in this ongoing series. They’ve already had one Off-Broadway show produced, I Love You Because, and another musical, Next Thing You Know, has also been produced elsewhere. The music for The Legend of New York was, for the most part, very well conceived and performed. I can see this show having a future life.
A special shout out goes to John Znidarsic, Producer/Director of the series (Monday evening began the 23rd season) and another shout out to Cheryl D. Raymond, Manager Public Programs and Special Events at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
ConcertMeister
No comments:
Post a Comment