“Reunions” – A Sentimental Sampler

By Alix Cohen

Part I: Downton Abby era London. Harry Sims (Bryan Fenkart) is about to achieve the culmination of years of single minded social and business climbing with a knighthood. He obsessively rehearses his ensemble, walk, and bow like a peacock. Both upstairs and downstairs help sing their excitement at change of status.

The soon to be Lady Sims, Emmy (Courtney Reed), is required (by him) to try on her jewelry and gown. Ignoring her expressed desire to help, to be useful, her husband hired a secretary to respond to a growing stack of congratulatory notes. His wife, he declares proudly, is strictly ornamental. The mores of the day confine her.

Emmy greets the secretary (Chilina Kennedy). She’s fascinated by a newfangled typewriting machine, drawn to the woman’s skill and independence. A letter is swiftly formatted. “It’s the usual thing”, the unimpressed typist sings. Harry enters. His jaw drops. He dismisses his wife.

The agency amanuensis turns out to be Harry’s ex-spouse Kate who walked out on him 14 years prior. He assumes that working brings her low and that she regrets what was forfeit. Not so. “I had to give us up to rescue me,” she sings.

They reminisce about the past, good and bad, filling in each other’s blanks. History manifests onstage. In no short time, Kate sees that Harry treats his wife just as he treated her. “Poor Emmy.” She warns him.

The three leads sing well with Kennedy excelling in both vocal and character depiction.

Part II: Spain. A young honeymooning couple who may or may not be Harry and Kate in the past, gambol in a Madrid park. Don Gonzalo (Chip Zien), accompanied by his man Edward (Daniel Torres), is pompously infuriated that his usual bench is occupied.

There’s only one available space, seated next to well dressed peer, Dona Laura (Joanna Glushak) whose companion (Courtney Reed) has gone off to meet “her soldier.” Gonzalo bristles, Dona Laura sharply retorts. He unwittingly shows frailty. She’s bemused. The scenario is marvelous. Gradually, with a home town in common, conversation cracks open to allow some light.

Both make up stories about who they were to shield how they might be perceived beside one another. It turns out the two knew each other – well. Opportunity is recaptured.

Joanna Glushak is lovely. Chip Zien, whom it is always a pleasure to see onstage, is wonderful. Comic timing and stage business captivate.! Chemistry works well.

To my mind, lyrics are more original in Part I, music in Part II. You won’t walk out humming any, but it pleasantly serves. Voices are good.
Direction and Choreography (Gabriel Barre) effectively utilize a stage- with audience on three sides. The turntable surreptitiously illuminates emotion. Actors are focused and expressive.

A low key, appealing production.

Also featuring:, Janet Aldrich, Keith Lee Grant, Pearl Rhein

Set Design by Edward Pierce conveys period with grace. His revolving central carpet aptly evokes La Ronde.
Costume Design (Jen Caprio) is accurate, attractive, and especially well tailored. Only the unlikely similarity of evening dress in Act I is questionable.
Hair & Wig Design (J. Jared Janas) is excellent
Musicianship is top notch, especially strolling soloists.

A Sunny Morning Part One is adapted from The Twelve-Pound Look by James M. Barrie. Part Two is based on a play by Serafín and Joaquín Quintero.

Photos by Jeremy Daniel Photography

Reunions
Book & Lyrics- Jeffrey Scharf
Music- Jimmy Calire
Arrangements & Orchestrations- Sonny Paladino
Directed & Choreographed by Gabriel Barre
City Center Stage II 131 West 55th Street
www.NYCityCenter.org