by Tina Rataj
With constant action and various misfortune, Girl From the North Country – written and directed by Conor McPherson, takes the stage on opening night in Austin, TX at the Bass Concert Hall. This broadway musical is set in a cold wintery Duluth, MN in 1934. It opens to the almost foreclosed, but very bustling, home of the Laine family. The home is also a guesthouse with rooms to rent for $1.50 a night. The characters buzz in and out of the sketched scenery, often leading to sad and unfortunate circumstances. Quickly you begin to feel for the Laine family with Nick Laine, played by John Schiappa, attempting to steer the family in better circumstances. With an already interesting backstory, Nick is also trying to keep his mentally ill wife afloat, get his young pregnant daughter wed, and his alcoholic son into a meaningful job. All the while he is finding comfort in the arms of Mrs. Neilsen, played by Carla Woods, who is a guest in one of the rooms.
With so much sadness, disaster and hectic action, it’s amazing how the music sweeps you up in emotion that is not only sorrowful but hopeful. The brilliance of the music and lyrics by Bob Dylan shine through with the help of the amazing cast and ensemble. 20 of his songs are reimagined in the show such as “Forever Young” and “Like a Rolling Stone”. The music, oh the music! It was touching and deep – especially with the fiddle, piano, harmonica and recognizable lyrics. Along with the masterful voices, the choreography was haunting and poignant. Occasionally the lyrics push the dialogue forward, but mostly it was there to marvel at and enjoy.
The show runs April 23-28 at Austin’s Bass Concert Hall on the UT campus. The show is recommended for ages 12 and up and runs about 2.5 hours with one intermission. Get tickets at Texas Performing Arts
The complete musical numbers were:
Act One
“Sign on the Window” – Ensemble
“Went to See the Gypsy” – Mrs Neilsen
“Tight Connection to My Heart (Has Anybody Seen My Love)” – Marianne Laine
“Slow Train” – Reverend Marlowe, Joe Scott
“License to Kill” – Mrs Neilsen, Marianne, Kate, Ensemble
“I Want You” – Gene Laine, Kate Draper
“Like a Rolling Stone” – Elizabeth Laine
Act Two
“Make You Feel My Love” – Ensemble
“You Ain’t Going Nowhere” – Ensemble
“Jokerman” – Ensemble
“Sweetheart Like You” – Mrs Burke, Mrs Neilsen
“True Love Tends to Forget” – Mrs Neilsen
“Girl from the North Country” – Ensemble
“Hurricane” – Joe Scott
“Idiot Wind” – Marianne Laine, Joe Scott
“Duquesne Whistle” – Elias Burke
“Señor (Tales of Yankee Power)” – Elias Burke, Kate, Reverend Marlowe
“Is Your Love in Vain?” – Mr and Mrs Burke
“Jokerman [reprise]” – Ensemble
“Forever Young” – Elizabeth, Ensemble
In this opening night performance, a few principals were out and played by understudies including, Paul Blankenship as Mr. Burke – typically played by David Benoit, Kelly McCormick as Elizabeth Laine – typically played by Jennifer Blood and Kyle Sherman as Elias Burke – typically played by Aidan Wharton. Standout performances by Kelly McCormick, Sharaé Moultrie as Marianne Laine, Matt Manuel as Joe Scott and Jeremy Webb as Reverend Marlowe. The cast of characters and musical mastery made for a very intriguing and interesting glimpse into the hardships of this era. It wasn’t a feel good play but there were plenty of honest human interaction that melted the heart or made for a good laugh.
