"Now.Here.This." - by Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell and Jeff Bowen - Umbrella Arts Center (Concord, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: The CAST of the musical "NOW.HERE.THIS." by Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell and Jeff Bowen, presented by Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. now playing through November 10, 2024. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“I wonder what else is hiding out there that no one has discovered yet."
- Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell and Jeff Bowen
Umbrella Arts Center
Presents the Musical
"NOW.HERE.THIS."
Book by Hunter Bell and Susan Blackwell
Music and Lyrics by Jeff Bowen
Based on the collaboration by Hunter Bell, Michael Berresse, Susan Blackwell, Heidi Blickenstaff, Jeff Bowen, and Larry Pressgrove.
Directed and Choreographed by Larry Sousa**
Music Director Mindy Cimini
Stage Manager Maya Concepción*
Produced by Brian Boruta
Cast Includes: Alexander Boyle, Craig Juricka*, Liliane Klein* and Katie Pickett; Holly B. Faust (Understudy).
Additional Creative Team:
Scenic Designer - Baron E. Pugh†; Lighting Designer - SeifAllah Salotto-Cristobal†; Projection Designers - Larry Sousa** and SeifAllah Salotto-Cristobal†; Audio Designer - Alex Berg; Costume Designer - Seth Bodie; Properties and Set Dressing Designer - Sarabeth Spector; Scenic Charge - Page Evett; Audio Board Operator - Chris Brousseau; Wardrobe Supervisor - Tree Brock; EDI Consultant, Art & Soul Consulting - Kira Troilo, Ariel Welch; Scenic Construction - New England Scenic; Company Manager - Cathie Regan.
* Appearing through an Agreement between this theater and Actor's Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
**The Director of this production is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
† The scenic, costume, lighting, and sound designers are represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of the IATSE.
Performances:
October 4, 2024 through November 10, 2024
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
Black Box Theater, THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER, 40 Stow Street, Concord, MA. 01742
TICKETS:
For tickets or more information, contact # 978-371-0820 or visitwww.theumbrellaarts.org
BUY TICKETS
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
Umbrella Stage Company offers us "NOW.HERE.THIS." a musical on the who/what/when/where/how and why we got to where we are in life and it exhibits a lot of musical talent, for sure.
Set in a natural history museum, the Umbrella cast of four (Alexander Boyle, Craig Juricka, Liliane Klein and Katie Pickett) explore the museum and as they do, the various exhibits trigger memories for each of them.
As we learn more about the quartet in "NOW.HERE.THIS." their shared memories begin to expand into more complex questions about life, love, families and relationships.
There is an overwhelming feeling conveyed from the moment "NOW.HERE.THIS." begins which is one of a warm friendship and resolute camaraderie between the characters and these four talented performers.
Featuring music and lyrics by Jeff Bowen and a book by Hunter Bell and Susan Blackwell, "NOW.HERE.THIS." is from the same team that gave us “[title of show]” which has developed a similar cult following.
(Photo: The CAST of the musical "NOW.HERE.THIS." by Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell and Jeff Bowen, presented by the Umbrella Stage Company in Concord, MA. now playing through November 10, 2024. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
Under the musical direction of Mindy Cimini and supported by a dynamic band, the quartet begins singing and, from the musical’s opening number, “What Are the Odds,” we begin to learn more about these characters.
There is a lot gentle good humor and an obvious amount of affection shared between them all which endears them to us instantly and makes us riveted to their collective journey at the museum.
None of their individual biographies ever feels “surprising” – there are no real grand revelations of deep dark secrets.
However, there are some familial scenes, scenes of self discovery and scenes of first intimate relationships conveyed by each character that will certainly enlighten if not surprise.
"NOW.HERE.THIS." made its Off-Broadway premiere in 2012, resulting in an original cast recording which was released that same year. The production was later revived in the U.K. in 2020.
The Umbrella Stage Company production is astutely directed and choreographed by Larry Sousa, and the cohesive Umbrella cast faithfully execute the staging expertly from start to finish.
Specialized lighting and sound combines with a plethora of creative imagery that immerses us and we soon believe we are actually on this odyssey with this fabulous foursome.
(Photo: The CAST of the musical "NOW.HERE.THIS." by Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell and Jeff Bowen, presented by Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. now playing through November 10, 2024. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
The characters’ odyssey through the museum also creates a journey for us as spectators as we watch the four travel back and forth from their respective life experiences.
There is a literal if somewhat philosophical connection to the title "NOW.HERE.THIS." as the title comes from a theory espoused by a Trappist Monk named Thomas Merton:
"NOW." (meaning not the past nor the future);
"HERE." (meaning literally where you are) and;
"THIS." (meaning whatever you are doing at the moment).
Merton theorized that once you arrive at the intersection of these three things ("NOW.HERE.THIS.") you are present – or at least present enough - to be willing to now move forward and experience "more life."
Individually, and in various group combinations, the cast of four explores the museum in search of their own "NOW.HERE.THIS." moment.
There are journeys into life in middle school which, for them, seems to begin the journey to discover one’s own identity – or, at least, the identity which one wanted others to admire.
Then there are looks at familial relationships, with some wanting something as simple as attention from parents.
We see the rules of attraction on display as the cast review some of the people they grew up admiring (not always sexually, by the way), either from afar or way too close.
There are also scenes where we see how the act of being disconnected can also serve to distract from the discomfort of growing up, especially if one is embarrassed by one’s family.
(Photo: The CAST of the musical "NOW.HERE.THIS." by Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell and Jeff Bowen, presented by Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. now playing through November 10, 2024. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
So, each character seems to be seeking their own "NOW.HERE.THIS." moment.
There are some pleasing enough songs but none that ever truly stand out although they do primarily achieve their objective which is to propel the story along.
While the entire score did not completely connect with this reviewer, there were still a number of elevated songs that will most certainly connect with others.
There are songs that successfully combine elements of humor and poignancy, such as the deeply emotional and revelatory songs of social experimentation,“Dazzle Camouflage” “Members Only” and “Kick Me.”
The characters recall how they met for this "NOW.HERE.THIS." moment in time in the song, “Then Comes You.”
In the musical numbers “That Makes Me Hot” and "Golden Palace” the characters recall moments when they thought they might have achieved some sense of self-worth.
In the song, “That'll Never Be Me” comes a realization that while one of the characters may not be what they thought they might be, at least they are discovering who they actually are. Below is a small sampling of the lyrics:
“There′s a gate on a hillside that opens to a field where the grass is greener and they say it's where your fate′s revealed. But I don't dare to go up there, ‘cause I'm certain what my eyes will see is the person who I really am and not the person that I am trying to be.”
(Photo: The CAST of the musical "NOW.HERE.THIS." by Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell and Jeff Bowen, presented by Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. now playing through November 10, 2024. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
No one cast member seems to excel above another which is perhaps by design...or perhaps by chance.
Either way, it feels like that is just the way it should be, for it allows us the opportunity to appreciate and enjoy them all as a truly cohesive unit.
Throughout their odyssey at the museum, one recurring question seems to get posed along the way:
Are we, each of us, defined by and subject to the rules demarcated by eons and eons of human evolution - or are we free to define our own sense of self and to do so by our own rules?
If we can answer the above, it might go a long way to help us ALL move forward and into our individual and collective "NOW.HERE.THIS."
Coming up next at Umbrella Arts Center will be the musical "WHERE WE BELONG" by Madeline Sayet which begins February 28th, 2025.
For tickets or more information, contact # 978-371-0820 or visit www.theumbrellaarts.org
BUY TICKETS
Approximately one hour, 40 minutes with no intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
The intimate musical from the creative minds behind "[title of show]" celebrates the beauty of life's simple moments and the power of human connection.
With toe-tapping tunes and poignant storytelling, audiences are invited to embrace the present moment in a cabaret-style production and find joy in the everyday.
ABOUT THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER
THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER enriches lives and builds a vibrant and inclusive community through the arts. THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER promotes creativity, learning, personal growth, and cultural exchange through accessible arts education programs, performing and visual arts presentations, and community collaborations.
40 Stow Street
Concord, MA. 01742
# 978-371-0820
