Review Update :: Kansas City Choir Boy

Update:
This week I was contacted by a representative for the production concerning the sounds issues that I mentioned in my original review. Unforeseen technical problems during the press performance had a severe impact on the show that night. I was asked if I would see the show again in order to experience it in full. I am glad that I did.

Many of the performance issues were immediately resolved by the fully functional sound. Obviously, audible lyrics made the plot more comprehensible. But the company was also much more at ease and things such as the timid nature of the staging were replaced with conviction and energy.

This certainty of performance allowed more elements to be understood. There are definite mythological references throughout (beyond just the character being named Athena), such as KCCB embarking on an Orphic journey to find her. Another aspect is the small ensemble of women that begin as sirens, turn in to muses, and eventually become furies.

Mr. Almond's music greatly benefits from both his lyrics as well as full vocal lines. The blending of the disparate styles of EDM, string quartet, and acoustic makes much more sense with vocals to provide a unifying melodic line.

It is a classic example of just how fragile live performance is: if one element goes down, it ripples throughout the production. But, as the clich� goes, the show must go on.

Below is the original review:

Let's just cut to the chase: Courtney Love is captivating. Even in her rather small role in "Kansas City Choirboy," there is not a moment that you are not compelled to watch her. She possesses the magnetic aura that all divas do. Without knowing "what," you are watching "something." She looks fantastic (if enhanced), yet exhausted at the same time. Her eyes are haunted. Raw emotion is her calling card. Her voice is that of a woman that has lived a life -- perhaps two or three. The closest comparison that comes to mind may be a younger version of the late, great Elaine Stritch.

Todd Almond's "Kansas City Choir Boy" is a mere slip of a memory play. It is brief and expressionistic. Based upon Mr. Almond's real life experiences, it is told almost entirely in flashback and centers on a pair of Midwestern lovers, Kansas City Choir Boy (Almond) and Athena (Love). Athena is restless and driven to become a star. The bright lights of New York City call and she leaves for her fame and fortune. It is not long until she is missing and ultimately found dead in a NYC park.

Due to the disjointed and dream-like quality of the plot, it does somewhat come across as a work in progress or the staging of a concept album. Focused only from KCCB's viewpoint, we are experiencing just his portion of the story. Although the memory of Athena is the driving plot device, her role is rather small.

Athena's life is left to the imagination -- which is very likely the intent. However if her world were to be explored, this work could possibly be elevated to the next level. Especially with the obvious power that Ms. Love could bring to the role.

The music is an odd but compelling blend of EDM, string quartet and acoustic guitar which for the most part works well. The elephant in the room is the extremely poor sound mix. During the EDM sections, it is almost entirely impossible to understand the majority of the lyrics -- there is little excuse when everyone is miked. This is the major flaw of this production and a rather shocking oversight.

D.M. Wood's lighting design is lovely and quite impeccable, but it feels like opportunities were missed by Kevin Newbury's staging given the intimacy of the Oberon space. It all feels timid. There is very obviously a fourth wall even though performers are mere inches away and often surround the audience. This is not to say that audience interaction would be appropriate here, but the show may benefit from an unspoken acknowledgement that this is a performance.

Overall, "Kansas City Choir Boy" is an intriguing work that makes you want more. Mr. Almond is onto something quite special, if not yet completely fleshed out. And Ms. Love is... well, Ms. Love.

"Kansas City Choir Boy" runs from through October 10 at Oberon, 2 Arrow Street, Cambridge, MA. For more information, visit the Oberon website.