review of 'Joe's Garage' - [variety.com]
ZapRatz
Joe's Garage
(Open Fist Theater; 99 seats; $25 top)
By TERRY MORGAN
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117938565.html?categoryid=33&cs=1
'Joe's Garage'
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Jason Paige's garage band keeps hitting obstacles, including a cranky
neighbor and artistic repression, in Frank Zappa's 'Joe's Garage'
An Open Fist Theater Company presentation of a musical in two acts
adapted by Pat Towne and Michael Franco from Frank Zappa's original
stage play. Directed by Pat Towne.
Band: Ross Wright, Ian Dahlberg, Daniel Kaminski, Scott Nagatani, Ken
Rosser, Kevin Tiernan, Chris Wabich.
The story in Frank Zappa's "Joe's Garage" is broad with deliberate
satirical intent, addressing seriously and presciently the themes of
artistic expression vs. government repression and the various ways sex
can be used to dehumanize. Pat Towne and Michael Franco's adaptation of
"Garage" into a two-act musical is properly respectful of its source
material, and the world premiere production by the Open Fist Theater
Company is lively and provocative, with a committed cast. Most
importantly, the impressive seven-piece band delivers with finesse and
power, making this show a must-see for rock 'n' roll fans.
Joe (Jason Paige) has a garage band with his friend Larry (Ben Thomas).
They enjoy playing their music, even if cranky neighbor Mrs. Borg (Maia
Madison) keeps yelling at them to turn the volume down. Joe, however,
doesn't realize he's being watched by the Central Scrutinizer (voice of
Michael Dunn), an agent of artistic repression. When Joe's girlfriend
Mary (Becky Wahlstrom) leaves him to become a groupie, the Scrutinizer
guides him unknowingly down a path that leads to the ultimate
extinguishing of his spirit. As the Scrutinizer puts it: "Girls, music,
disease, heartbreak -- they all go together."
Paige is an unassuming and appealing protagonist, which makes his
eventual downfall all the more sobering. Strong voiced, he's emotionally
expressive in songs such as "Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up" and angrily
sarcastic in "Packard Goose." Wahlstrom is affecting as the unfortunate
Mary, whose sexual freedom turns into a series of degradations. Thomas
is appropriately cocky as Larry in "Crew Slut" and even offers a
creditable guitar solo. Dunn is darkly amusing as the voice of the
Central Scrutinizer, delivering his lines in a vaguely Slavic whisper.
The rest of the ensemble are energetic and inspired.
Towne's direction is effective, from his visualization of "Outside Now,"
in which a series of glassy-eyed smiling people in suits and dresses
mill about the stage trading money for empty boxes, literal zombies of
conformity, to an audacious moment in which the audience gets to listen
to the majestic instrumental "Watermelon in Easter Hay" in complete
darkness.
The setup for the band takes up one-fifth of the stage, with the music
right up front, as it should be. Ross Wright's musical direction is
superb, and the band is sharp and versatile, able to switch from the
rousing rock of the title tune to the James Brown-esque beat of "Keep It
Greasy." Guitarist Ken Rosser impresses with his virtuosic solos in "On
the Bus" and "Outside." Jennifer Lettelleir's choreography brings
physical grace and wit to the show, and the Central Scrutinizer
marionette by Jeff G. Rack and Franco, wheeling about with malicious
glee, is a winner.
Sets, Jeff G. Rack; costumes, Martine Granby; lighting, Cricket Sloat;
sound, Tim Labor; musical director, Ross Wright; choreographer, Jennifer
Lettelleir; production stage manager, Marjorie Knight. Opened Sept. 26,
2008, reviewed Sept. 27; runs through Nov. 22. Running time: 2 HOURS, 5 MIN.
Utility Muffin Chorus: Matt Crabtree, Nicole Disson, Crystal Keith,
Jennifer Lettelleir, Pip Lilly, Lindsay Loesel, Jonny Marlow, Franci
Montgomery, Herbert Russell, Laura Sperrazza, Glen Anthony Vaughan.
--
As of the day this message is being posted there are,
lacking an unexpected alternate outcome, 110 days
remaining in the imperial presidency of George W. Bush
The old geezer
TOG
soundgun
show, GO SEE IT while you can. "The band was tight", the performers
sharp and they really captured the spirit of the album.