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The Mistress Cycle
Music by Jenny Giering
Lyrics by Beth Blatt
Directed by Kurt Johns
Music Direction by Diana Lawrence
At Apple Tree Theatre
1850 green Bay Road
Highland Park, IL
Call 847-432-4335, tickets $38 - $48
Sunday, Dec. 16 at 6 pm
Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 7:30pm
Friday, Dec. 21 at 8 pm
Saturday, Dec. 22 at 5 & 8:30 pm
Sunday, Dec. 23 at 2 & 6 pm
Friday, Dec. 28 at 8 pm
Saturday, Dec. 29 at 5 & 8:30 pm
Sunday, Dec. 30 at 2 & 6 pm
Monday, Dec. 31 at 6:30 & 9:30 pm
Wednesday, Jan. 2 at 7:30 pm
Friday, Jan. 4 at 8 pm
Saturday, Jan 5 at 5 & 8:30 pm
Running time is 85 minutes without intermission
Through January 5, 2008
Hauntingly beautiful voices mark new chamber musical
Apple Tree Theatre, now in their temporary facility, presents its first musical in a long time. This Highland Park troupe mounts outstanding musicals and you can add The Mistress Cycle to that list. This is a wonderful, serene chamber piece filled with lush voices from the five players—Charissa Armons (Tess), Carol Angeli Feiger (Ching), Angela Ingersoll (Anais Nin), Susie McMonagle (Diane de Pontiers) and Karen Marie Richardson (Lulu).
This is a song cycle, not a book musical. It is a collection of themed songs depicting the torments, desires and pleasures of ‘mistresses’—the number two women in a man’s life. What is it like to be that ‘other’ women? The Mistress Cycle is “a musical tale of sacrifice, lust and renewal that explores the lives and loves of five mistresses through history. The musical reveals the fascinating lives of several lovers-minus the holy matrimony.” This melodious show is sung from the heart and features each of the five actors in their personal moments supported by richly haunting harmonies. Diana Lawrence’s musical arrangements and fine piano work lifts each song.
The shows begins as each of the five decide to be a mistress (director Kurt John’s definition “A woman who illicitly occupies the place of wife’ (Illicit being “contrary to accepted morality”) or not. Tess Walker (Charissa Armon) is a contemporary, hip and independent professional photographer who chooses to be a mistress while Ching (Carol Angeli Feiger) is a 12th Century 14 year old girl who must be a concubine to Chinese Emperor. She will bear a child and come to the Emperor as his fifth women. Anais Nin (Angela Ingersoll) the 20th Century writer of sexy novels and Lulu (Karen Marie Richardson) is the madam of a New Orleans whorehouse. Diane de Pontiers (Susie McMongale) the mistress to a 16th Century French king. These mistress’ share their struggles, hopes and acceptance of their roles in life. The wonderful score by Jenny Giering sits nicely on Beth Blatt’s storytelling lyrics. The music reflects the era of each character with a hint of blues in Lulu’s songs and an Oriental flavor to Ching’s numbers. There is a modern sophisticated tune as well as strong emotional ballads and anthems.
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This is a captivating, lust and magical song cycle that creates a haunting mood as it hones into the heart of each character. We relate to what these women feel as they realize that, despite their loyalty and devotion, they are merely the secondary women in their men’s lives. I enjoyed the fabulous singings by all five marvelous talents. Each had their solo moments and each blended their voices in beautiful harmonies. This is a special musical treat—the singing is outstanding!
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2007
Jeff Recommended
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