This is a musical that has been in development for about 3 years and follows the story of Civil War soldier Julian Munro (sung by Cesar Alvarez) who would like to develop a steam-powered brain but lacks the skill. He meets metaphysician Ada Lovelace (sung by Sammy Tunis) who provides the technical know-how to make Julian’s dream a reality. With utopian dreams of solving all of humanity’s problems they move forward with their creation as the war wages on. As is true today, the technology invented in the musical is only limited by man’s frailties.
The performance I caught was at Joe’s Pub. Upon entering the small stage appeared packed with drums, banjo's, mics, music stands, keyboard with an impressive percussion set-up made of a typical drum kit and found objects reminiscent of an engine. The performance begins with the four person band who gracefully introduces the audience to the performance and the story line and they perform a prologue of sorts. Then the stage is filled with 5 more singers and Michael Cerveris, of Broadway fame, who primarily sits a corner strumming a banjo and jumps in to perform some vocals. The music is enthralling, multi-layered melodically and rhythmically the music combining hints and flavors of rock, blue grass, and in some cases, old folk songs to further the plot and emphasize particular moments. The lyrics in the original songs are hauntingly poetic and timely.
Just as a concert the show is spectacular and is a must-hear/see. All of the performers are invested in the work and engaging to watch. The music is magnetic and hard to break away from for the requisite food or drink at Joe’s Pub, and if the book is half as good as the music, then this is the steam-punk musical to see, not to be missed at all.
Futurity: A Musical by the Lisps in Concert.
Next Performing at Ars Nova, 511 West 54th Street, New York, NY January 10, 2012.
World Premiere at the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, MA March 16-April 15, 2012 and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, MN April 26-28, 2012. Concert run time: approx 90minutes.
The Lisps: Cesar Alvarez, Sammy Tunis, Eric Farber, Lorenzo Wolff.
Special Guests: Michael Cerveris, Ben Simon, Chelsey Donn, Grant O’Brien, Aaron Schroeder, Caroline Tamas, Jillian Tully.
Carissa Cordes grew up in the backstage of a regional theatre moving scenery, dressing people, and assisting stage managers. This means she is a ninja. She is a classically trained actress and has working experience in all aspects of production. She can even install a zipper. She has had a great eleven years in NYC and looks forward to where the next eleven will take her. She is on the reviewing squad for nytheatre.com, was the designer for Group, by Daniel McCoy in FringeNYC 2010 and also played Green Eyes in Deathwatch FringeNYC 2009.
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