Review
CRITIC’S PICK
Great Expectations
A New Musical based on the novel by Charles Dickens
adapted by Margaret Hoorneman
book by Brian VanDer Wilt and Steve Lozier
music by Richard Winzeler; lyrics by Steve Lane
directed by Jules Aaron

Reopening at the Odyssey Theatre, July 19-August 31, due to popular demand

I must admit, apart from Oliver Twist and A Tale of Two Cities, my Dickensian background is not up to snuff. But, my passion for learning being as strong as it is, when I heard about the musical project of Great Expectations – and, never having read it or seen any of the nonmusical films, I put it at the top of my must-see list – and so should you! Jules Aaron’s staging is miraculous. Let’s be real, this is Dickens, based on a 59 chapter novel - an epic, and the Hudson Backstage space, although somewhat wide and deep, is not the Ahmanson. Aaron has executed a brilliant feat.

Adapted by the 94 year-old grandmother of writer Brian VanDer Wilt, Margaret Hoorneman, who taught literature in Iowa most of her life, the storyline, in this its abridged form – another difficult task (what to leave out and what to include for clarity and continuity, especially for those like me who are totally unfamiliar with it), is compelling, engrossing and developed with a stunning eye for the most intricate detail. With VanDer Wilt and Steve Lozier’s touches to the book, the stage manuscript translates crisp and clear. And the music and lyrics by Richard Winzeler and Steve Lane are beautiful, some like the title tune “Great Expectations” exuding the buoyancy and flavor of Jerry Herman while others possess the complex drama and intrigue of a Sondheim melody such as Pip’s “Musn’t Panic”, “Love by Definition”, Estella’s perplexing and pained “I Could Walk Away” and Miss Havisham’s “Play” and her exquisite “Love Her”. The score is simultaneously pleasurable and thought-provoking, fleshing out superbly the multi-dimensional plotline in place of dialogue, and certainly befitting the grandeur of the entire piece.
As to the cast of players, down to the tiniest tots: this is a carefully chosen and thoroughly outstanding ensemble. I am so proud of Adam Simmons as Pip. First seen in LA as the portrait Dorian in Dorian the Musical, he has grown tremendously since then and fills Pip’s shoes with intelligence and fervor, giving his likeable character the complex edge that Dickens demands. Ellen Crawford as Miss Havisham is nothing short of a marvel.

She sits stage right, overlooking most of the proceedings, as if in a state of catatonia. Her speeches are eloquent, evocative, full of the passion absent from her solitary life. Shannon Warne makes a stately Estella and Dave Barrus, all muscle and uneducated naivete as the blacksmith Joe Gargery. Supporting cast worthy of attention are the rubber faced Hap Lawrence essaying many roles including Pumblechook and Wemmick, Marc Cardiff wonderfully versatile, alternating the grimy Magwitch and starchy Jaggers, and Sterling Beaumon terrifically honest and energetic as the Young Pip. Praise also to Sierra Rein as the tough task master sister Mrs. Joe, Steve Marvel as the unlikeable Drummle,  Zarah Mahler as Biddy, so in love with Pip and Brian Maslow as Pip’s astute roommate Herbert.

Special round of applause to the amazing Shon LeBlanc, costume designer extraordinaire, whose period perfect wardrobe, especially for Pip and Estella, is lovely to watch.

In a Dickens classic, many themes are explored, chief among them love and its lack thereof. In Great Expectations, VanDer Wilt and Lozier have cautiously not lost sight of either fraternal or romantic love. But it is Pip’s lesson learned about where to look for it that lingers in the mind: as Dickens conveys, the grass may be greener on the other side of the fence, but you need look no further than your own backyard. Splendid production!

5 out of 5 stars