Preview - Now. Here. This. at the Vineyard Theater

This is not a review. I repeat: This is not a review.

As you may know, the fine, talented, and delightful crew that gave us [title of show] are hard at work on a follow-up, previously titled And Now This Is Happening, and now bearing the moniker Now. Here. This. I had a chance to see a "developmental lab production" of the show last Friday at the Vineyard Theatre, which was the home of [title of show]'s Off-Broadway run.

Now, technically, critics are not invited to these developmental workshops, and I think rightly so. Artists deserve the chance to work out the kinks in their shows away from the glaring eye of the critical press. In the past, I've reviewed things that were in development, under the supposition that I wasn't really a critic, and that if they were charging admission, that I was free to propagate my views of the shows in question. But now that I'm a member of the Outer Critics Circle, it's sort of hard to continue to make that argument. I am a critic, and I need to comport myself in a manner befitting same.

But I thought my readers might appreciate a dispassionate, objective account of the show, and a sense of what the authors are trying to do with it. I will do my level best to keep all of my evaluative impulses at bay. Stop me if I get too critic-y.

If you've seen [title of show], you'll no doubt recall that it's essentially the story of putting that show together. As such, it's a fairly linear account, with a beginning, a middle, and an end. Now. Here. This. is decidedly non-linear, a 90-minute collage of narrative threads and snapshots. The content is autobiographical, exploring certain formative experiences from the lives of each of the four performers on-stage.

As you may know, Hunter Bell's book for [title of show] received the show's only Tony nomination for that effort. Here, Bell shares libretto credit with Susan Blackwell, although I get the sense that both shows represent the collaborative efforts of all the creative and performance staff, including composer/lyricist Jeff Bowen and performer Heidi Blickenstaff, not to mention pianist/music director Larry Pressgrove and director Michael Berresse.

Jeff Bowen's score for Now. Here. This. is a lot more complex than the one he wrote for [title of show]. Whereas the [title of show] score featured mostly discrete songs, the score for Now. Here. This. consists of more extended sequences, with dialog and action interwoven into the mix. I've made mention in the past of the distracting amount of poor scansion in Bowen's lyrics for [title of show], and I'm happy to report that that doesn't seem to be as much of an issue in his current score, at least at its current stage of development. (Is that too review-ish?)

The main attractions of [title of show] were Bell's witty and joyful book, as well as the four performers radiating excitement and camaraderie. Now. Here. This. has the potential to replicate those charms, as well as add in a few more of its own. I greatly look forward to seeing how the show progresses.

Now. Here. This. runs through June 19th. The run is mostly sold out, but tickets are still available at the Vineyard Web site for a benefit performance on the 19th. 

Comments

[Geoff]

I saw this show as well (apparently at the same performance as you, Chris). Thoroughly captivated by this effort, although I don't think anything really landed until Jeff Bowen did his first extended solo song with dialogue about growing up gay and the exhausting routine he went though to hide it. Another beautiful moment was the shared monologue between Hunter and Heidi about their grandmothers. Just lovely.

I hope the authors can make all the disparate narrative threads come together. They are a wonderful band of performers and we're lucky to have them and the Vineyard theatre as well.

I'm not a theatre critic, so I'll just tell anyone who happens to read this: don't wait, go now.

[ccaggiano]

Geoff, that's so funny we were at the same performance. If I had know, I would have formally introduced myself.

Yeah, at the risk of getting subjective, there were a great many genuinely touching elements. I think my favorite was when Hunter was going on the roller coaster with the friend he had a crush on. Lots of wonderfully introspective and revealing moments. I can't wait to see how they pull it all together.

[AjohnP]

Jim and I saw this when it was 'And Now This Is Happening' way back when at the Shaquille O'Neill Center (Thank you, [tos]) and LOVED it. I'm so sad that I won't be able to see it this time around, but I'm hoping that if/when it has another showing, I'll be able to find the time to see it.
xoxo

[ccaggiano]

Peaches! How dare you defile my blog with a sports reference! Uncle Ricky and I taught you better than that. As penance, give me 10 Hail Marys and 20 Hello Dollys.

[Uncle Ricky]

Yea, like she says. I and Velma ain't dumb!

[Anthony]

Boys, I saw this show on its first performance and was there at the last (non-benefit) performance. I fell in love with "Golden Palace" (the song about Susan's dad), as well as "Then Comes You". I'm not asking for anything specific here, but it would be pretty funny if someone had happened to snag an audio recording of the show and just happened to send it to me at [email protected]

That would be pretty funny. And it would be exclusively on my iPod, not for public dissemination. Does anyone know of anything in existence?