“The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale”

**** This one is a bit awkward for me. I never saw the movie version or read Tolkien’s trilogy of books, so I really had to pay close attention as I witnessed the journey to the magical realms of “middle-earth” as Chicago Shakespeare Theatre brought these stories to life on its “The Yard” stage. Since Jane was out of town, I brought my granddaughter, Sarah to the opening. She has never read the books or seen the films either and while there were times she felt lost in story, she thought the performance itself was fabulous and the special effects powerful. She was also impressed ( as was I) that all the musicians were onstage at all times.

Sharpley directed by Paul Hart on a set designed by Simon Kenny, who also did the props and costumes design(talk about a triple threat) this huge cast works very hard to  tell the story. It is a long play. Two hours and forty-five minutes plus an intermission, so beware and use the rest room before it starts. I think the first book is “The Fellowship of The Ring” and someone said it was published 70 years ago. I guess I missed that one on my 11th birthday.

Playing the role of Gandalf, the wise mentor to Fredo  is Tom Amandes. and some of the other noteable roles are played by Ben Matthew, Iam Maryfield, Justin Albinder, Tony Bozzuto, Eileen Doan, Suzanne Hannau, William James Jr., Michael Kurowski, Jeff parker, Laura Savage, Alina Taber. Matthew C. Yee, Lauren Zakrin , Bernadette Santos Schwegel,  Jarais Musgrove, James Mueller, Adam Qutaishat, Mia Hilt, Joey Faggion, and the voice of John Lithgow ( as Treebeard). I think I got them all- this play relies on a strong ensemble to keep the hero in his place.

While there are some eighteen songs, they are for the most part designed to keep the story moving along and I doubt that anyone will be humming a tune on the way home from the theater. The music direction is by Michael McBrinde and the choreography ( and movement) by Anjali Mehra. The lighting (Rory Beaton) and sound ( Nicholas Pope) were fine, although it seems they were not wearing body mikes, so there were times that the upper level seats missed dialogue. The puppets were designed by Charlie Tymms and they were directed by Ashleigh Cheadle ( don’t ask me how you direct a puppet/I think they mean the actors were taught how to work the puppets)

This may not be your type of show, and that is understandable. However, if you are truly into the books or the film, I think you will find yourself in heaven at the theatre.  There is no finer venue for new work than The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare ( this is where “Six” had its US debut!) and the story, probably the greatest fantasy ever created and this production is immersive allowing the audience to feel that they are part of the story. It begins with the birthday celebration and the audience chiming into the “Happy Birthday” song. From thta point on, even us old fogies became Hobbits.

“The Lord of the Rings- A Musical Tale” will continue thru September 1st with performances as follows:

Tuesdays        7:00pm

Wednesdays  1:00pm & 7:00pm (8/21-open caption)

Thursdays     7:00pm

Fridays          7:00pm  (8/23 ASL interpreted)

Saturdays     2:00pm & 7:00pm

Sundays        2:00pm   (8/25 touch-tour audio described)

Box Office: 312-595-5600

www.chicagoshakes.com

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Lord of the Rings- A Musical Tale”.

Frank’s review

***** The world premiere of “The Lord of the Rings: A Musical” at the Chicago Shakespeare
Theatre at Navy Pier is a mesmerizing adaptation that captures the essence of J.R.R.
Tolkien’s beloved trilogy. With a book and lyrics by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus,
and music by A.R. Rahman and the Finnish folk music group Värttinä, this production is a
unique and enchanting experience. Set in Middle Earth, the story began as a sequel to
Tolkien’s 1937 children’s book The Hobbit but eventually developed into a much larger
work. The title refers to the story’s main antagonist, the evil Sauren, a Dark Lord, played by
Jeff Parker, who in his earlier days forged a ring called the “One Ring,” which has power over
all the other rings that were given to Man, Elves, and Dwarves in his campaign to conquer
all of Middle earth.

Direction and Choreography: Directed by Paul Hart and choreographed by Anjali Mehra, the
musical seamlessly blends the epic fantasy elements of Tolkien’s world with the rich textures of
contemporary Indian music and Hindu ideas. The choreography is dynamic and engaging, adding
depth to the already vibrant storytelling.

Set and Design: Scenic designer Simon Kenny has created fantastic sets that, combined with
innovative projections, bring Middle Earth to life in a breathtaking manner. Puppet designer Charlie
Tymms, known for his work on “Life of Pi” and Broadway’s “Harry Potter,” has outdone himself with
the intricate and lifelike puppets, adding a layer of magic to the production.

Cast Performances: The extensive cast of over 20 actors delivers outstanding performances.
Spencer Davis Milford as Frodo and Michael Kurowski as Samwise are particularly notable for their
heartfelt acting and singing. Tom Amandes as Gandalf and Tony Bozzuto as Gollum embody the
primary good and evil characters with compelling intensity. Lauren Zakrin’s Galadriel has a perfect
singing voice that resonates beautifully, and Alina Taber as Arwen adds grace and charm to the
production.

Overall Experience: The play runs slightly over the advertised time at 3 hours and 5 minutes with
an intermission, which may be a bit lengthy for younger children. However, the comfortable seating
at the new theatre ensures an enjoyable experience for all. With no bad seats in the house, every
audience member can fully appreciate the grandeur of the production.
Adaptation and Storyline: Staying true to the storyline of all three books of “The Lord of the Rings,”
the musical incorporates slight changes, such as the infusion of Hindu and contemporary Indian
musical elements. This creative decision adds a fresh perspective to the classic tale while
preserving its core themes and narrative.