“August Rush: The Musical”

[rating=5]Leave it to the Paramount Theatre to bring their first “original” musical to their stage. The play is “August Rush: the Musical” based on the film of 2007 detailing the story of a musically gifted orphan, Evan, who runs away from his orphanage to New York searching for his “birth” parents. Along his way, he is taken under the wing of the Wizard ( some of you might recall, Robin Williams played this character), a homeless man, who lives in an abandoned theater. Once he sees Evan’s talent, he changes his name to August Rush and devises a plan to profit from this talented young man.

While this is going on, his birth mother, who thought she had lost him in childbirth ( at least that is what her father said) and her “lover’ are searching to find the son they were not aware existed. Both the parents, by the way, are musicians, which might just explain the talent that Evan /August has. The movie, by Warner Brothers, had a story by Paul Castro and a screenplay by Nick Castle and James V. Hart. The new musical has a book by Glen Berger and music by Mark Mancina with lyrics by both Berger and Mancina.

This is not your typical “Broadway-type musical”, but rather what is called a “chamber piece”. The show is roughly 90 minutes ( no intermission) of nonstop story telling, mostly with music and very little dialogue. Being this type of musical, it may not appeal to the masses, but, those who enjoy a lovely story with a happy ending will fall in love with this well done piece. Directed by John Doyles, on a masterful, yet simple, set by Scott Pask, the ensemble itself is worth the price of admission. Each and every player, not only acts and sings, but plays at least one musical instrument and the movement that has been created is beautiful in every way. The centerpiece to the set is a grand piano that for a great deal of time serves as a staging area instead of a musical instrument.

At the very onset of this piece,we meet Evan Taylor ( a powerful portrayal by young Jack McCarthy /and on other occasions by Huxley Westemeir).  He is in New York, after running away, trying to find his birth parents. We then go back in time to meet  Lewis ( a solid performance by George Abud) aka, his father and  Lyla (Sydney Shepherd), aka, his mother. We watch them meet, play together and fall in love. When the baby is born, Lyla’s father ( played to perfection by John Hickok, who later comes back as The Wizard) tells her that the baby died due to complications. Lyla and Lewis go on with their lives as time passes.

Back to the current time, The Wizard, having taken his protégé under his wing, sees the magic of his musical talents and watches him create some wonderful works, Meanwhile Lyla’s father passes and in his things, she finds a letter indicating that her son had been adopted and that he had forged her signature to do this. As you might anticipate, this performance art has a very happy ending. It should!

I must tell you that this cast of musicians/actors/singers is amazing and makes this a production that should win several Jeff Awards for the Paramount ( something they are used to) and should develop into a show that could do well, if not ON Broadway, at least Off-Broadway.

The ensemble , as I said , is amazing and highly energetic ( as well as talented). Marta Bagatruni, Alex Bender, Matt Deitchmann, Ginna Doyle, Brad Giovanine, Lizzie Hagstedt, Troy Valjean Rucker, Leena Rideout, Jessie Linden, Doug Smith, Katrina Yaukey ( who is quite the Violin player and singer), Jenn Chandler, Cassidy Stirtz and Adam Michaels. Brilliant work!

“August Rush : The Musical” will continue at The Paramount Theatre located at 23 E. Galena Blvd. in Aurora thru June 2nd ( I hope they can extend) with performances as follows:

Price: $36-$69

Show Type: Musical

Box Office: 630-896-6666

www.paramountaurora.com/

Street parking is available as are garages and of course, the theater has valet parking at the front door.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “August Rush: the Musical”.