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Tell Me On A Sunday
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by Don Black & Richard Maltby, Jr.
Directed by Elisa Woodruff
At Bailiwick Repertory
1229 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago, IL
Call 773-883-1090, tickets $20 - $25
Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 7 pm
Running time is 70 minutes without intermission
Through September 26, 2008
Sound problems mar one person musical
I thought maybe it was my hearing problem but once outside of Bailiwick Repertory after seeing the opening night performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Tell Me On A Sunday” the re-worked song-cycle portion of the 1980’s “Song and Dance” originally staring Bernadette Peters, my experience was confirmed by several audience members. We all had trouble hearing Harmony France as she sang 20 songs as Emma—a 30 year old English hat designer determined to find love and success under the bright lights of New York City. The story is told through songs from Emma’s perspective. I have seen this show sung deftly by Broadway belter Bernadette Peters. This challenging show has an ambitious score—an assortment of pop/rock tunes filled with talk songs, ballads and anthems—that necessitates a wide vocal range and the ability to ‘sell’ each song in character.
Unfortunately, many audience members (me included) simply couldn’t hear Harmony France enough to understand most of the lyrics of most of the songs—particularly the softer numbers. This inability to hear the lyrics dampened my ability to enjoy this show. It baffles me that no one during tech rehearsals realized that France couldn’t be heard in the intimate studio space at Bailiwick Repertory. A combination of factors contributed here: Harmony France often sang too soft especially in the tender songs. France absolutely needs to sing louder—enough so every word can be heard throughout the space.
Next, France needs to project more, enunciate and articulate clearer in a higher volume. Her musical accompaniment—especially the percussion —was too loud. When a singer sings too softly and the keyboard and percussion are too loud—the audience doesn’t hear the lyrics. The multi-tier staging didn’t help France to be heard.
My question is this: Why didn’t director Elisa Woodruff realize that France was singing too softly and the music was too loud? That is what tech is designed to correct. I can only hope that the stage manager will correct this obvious and show-killing problem.
I can’t adequately review this show because I couldn’t hear most of the lyrics. I wasn’t alone with this observation. In fairness to Harmony France—her support staff has failed her. Either put a microphone on France or get her to project louder and have the music muted so we can hear the lyrics and enjoy this show. Harmony France works hard and she deserves better technical support. What good comes from singing 20 songs that can’t be heard? I sure hope this major volume issue gets resolved. There could be a fine show here. I can only hope.
Something Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2008
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