Tulipomania: The Musical / Fine music but slow on the ground
Jeffrey Coon (Photo: Mark Garvin)
For the full review: http://www.curtainup.com/tulipomaniaphila.html
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Michael Ogborn
Directed by Terrence J. Nolen
The Arden Theatre Company presents the much anticipated World Premiere of Michael Ogborn’s new musical, which they commissioned in 2005. The Arden also premiered his exceptionally original, vibrant musicals Café Puttanesca and Baby Case. [Baby Case comes to NYMF this July. Highly recommended.] Owner (Jeffrey Coon) and his slinky waiter (Billy Bustamante) run a hash house in Amsterdam. We know zip about them. And we learn next to nothing about the four characters who drop in for a doobie. The proprietor relates a good story, the sad cautionary tale of a speculator in 17th century Holland who risks everything in the original financial bubble, the Tulip Mania. The man buys shares at auction that are written on parchment, and obsesses over acquiring a rare tulip
The Michael Ogborn charm comes though in his delightful musical composition more than in his book. (Except that not all the music seems to belong, like "In Praise of Tulipan," a Spiritual that comes across as unrelated to the other songs.) Yet all the music is imaginative and beautiful with gorgeous underlying harmonies. Ogborn’s lively lyrics, mostly wonderful, at times show a wooden-shoe-horned cutesy side. The little orchestra that could, led by Dan Kazemi, does an admirable job with six musicians on cello, bass, guitar, electric guitars, keyboard, trumpet, flute, clarinet, saxophone and probably more instruments. Vocally, Jeffrey Coon’s rich tenor grounds the musical; Joilet F. Harris, as Woman, performs a stunning solo; and Adam Heller, as Man, does some snazzy singing as well. As the 17th Century story ekes out, slowly building to its climax, not enough is known to make people care about the contemporary participants, and not enough about anything is disclosed fast enough to provide needed action and to generate keen interest. Despite noteworthy singing and acting, and an audience-pleasing jazzy "Tulipofinale" fronted by fluid Billy Bustamante, the show remains a high concept piece that’s slow on the ground.
Cast: Billy Bustamante, Jeff Coon, Ben Dibble, Joilet F. Harris, Adam Heller, Alex Keiper Scenic Design: James Kronzer Lighting Design: John Stephen Hoey Costume Design: Rosemarie E. McKelvey Sound Design: Jorge Cousineau Music Director and Orchestrator: Dan Kazemi
Musicians: Dan Kazemi, Brian Adamczyk, Nero Catalano, Bob Wagner, Steve Duckworth, Andrew Nelson May 24- July 1, 2012 90 minutes Reviewed by Kathryn Osenlund for Curtainup.com