Displaying items by tag: A Musical Exhibition

Imagine walking through an art gallery, where each piece of art brings up different emotions and makes you think of a different story. Now let each story come to life through intensely raw and emotional songs and you get 35MM A Musical Exhibition, playing at the Circle Theatre through April 10th.  

The intimate space of the Circle Theatre is set up as part stage and part art gallery. Entering the theater, the audience was milling about, enjoying their wine and the photographs on display. As they take their seats, and after a quick introduction by one of the cast members, the show opens and we are taken through the musical exhibition. Unlike most major production musicals, 35MM does not have a narrative. The show is entirely comprised of songs – 22 of them to be exact, each corresponding to a photograph by Matthew Murphy displayed in a prominent position on stage. There are 5 actors who play all the roles and they are supported by a small orchestra, creating a show that almost feels too big for the small space.

Without a clear narrative or any dialog, this musical can feel disjointed as it moves from song to song, story to story, and even the character’s roles continue to shift which can be confusing. However, aside from the fragmented flow of the show, it was a very strong production. The music and lyrics, written by Ryan Scott Oliver, were powerful and sometimes reminiscent of rock musicals such as Spring Awakening or spoken word performance art. While the intensity was unwavering, each song had its own style befitting of the story it told, keeping things exciting.

All of the actors in the show were singing powerhouses and collectively they created raw and moving moments that took your breath away. They sung with such passion and emotion, there were times when the tears welling in their eyes were clearly visible, causing the same reaction in the audience. The most outstanding piece of the show was “Leave Luanne”, telling the sad story of domestic abuse. The intensity of the music and the passion coming through the voices was palpable in the room and at the formidable conclusion of the song the audience erupted in applause. 

Cameron Turner choreographed and directed this production beautifully. The choreography was clean and creative. It took into account the intimate space of the production and the fact that the actors were singers first. The movements seemed to flow with the music perfectly, punctuating moments in the songs and creating nice visual effects. In keeping with the gallery setting, the costumes were normal everyday clothes one would wear for a night at a small art gallery.

The immediate response to this show may be mixed. Audiences will be moved by the honest intensity of the songs that make up this show, but may also be perplexed by the lack of a clear story line. However, a shift in perspective to consider this show as a stroll through a photography gallery where each image comes to life and tells its story through music, allows the beauty and power of this show to shine through.

It is not often that small musical productions pack a punch as big as this show does, so if you are a fan of less mainstream rock musicals get your tickets now to check out 35MM before April 10th .