Not to be missed at the MainLine Theatre is a musical comedy reimagining the Greek god of wine, Dionysus, in middle age. With text and lyrics by Jeremy Hechtman and Patrick Goddard, inspired by a story of Garrison Keillor, this is smartly written comedy delivered with great timing by a well-rehearsed and able cast.
There are fabulous original songs with music by Nick Carpenter, and the large ensemble delivers some fine harmonies with their bawdy lyrics and sarcastic expressions.
In a wonderful opening act, Dionysus, played with spirit and joy by Paul Van Dyck, reminds us of the pleasures of wine, women and song. Lovely nymphs sing silly songs, and the god feeds the audience grapes off his loin bunch. However, The Mid-life Crisis of Dionysus soon takes a fateful turn. Dionysus, associated through the ages with revelry and indulgence, finds that middle age has caught up with him. His wife is nagging him about his drinking, his doctor needs to do more tests and things anatomical just aren’t working the way they used to. Van Dyck commands the stage and, while he looks a bit young for the pathos of aging, his presence brings the audience along on the journey.
Excellent direction by co-author Hechtman turns the ribald details of man’s decline into brilliantly choreographed stage comedy. Dionysus on a hospital gurney with attendants rushing about amid concern for his failing virility; or at the dinner table with the wife, politely negotiating just another drop of wine, while male and female choruses volley the frustrations of moderation and compromise — “jerk!” “bitch!” prick!” “pussy!” These high-energy numbers are spectacular farce – original, uproarious and integrated perfectly into the story. Other song and dance numbers are reminiscent of old Hollywood musicals (replete with old-fashion dance-girl costumes or other splendid touches in wardrobe by Lindsay Wesbrook), Frank Sinatra skits, or rock and roll history.
Goddard performs well as the chorus leader and the cast moves well from comic skit to chorus song. Eleanor Young and Vance de Waele add standout flourishes, stepping out from the chorus and into over-the-top characters, among many bright moments. The mortality-play story of aging is not lost in the theatrics, although its twists and turns are not always compelling. The show is moved along by music and song and an abundance of good humour.
Mid-life is an ambitious offering and it succeeds by many accounts. It is equal parts music, song, story and language, and all are capably presented. The musical score includes a wide variety of sound from rock and roll to klezmer. The music is very good and the musicians feed the songs and stage-play well without taking over. While the lyrics are often silly, the singers perform them admirably, moving all the while. A couple of songs fall flat, but these are dwarfed by the success of so many others.
In fact, with so many jokes and so much song, the show would have benefited from a bit of editing. The authors have packed the experience with layers of humour, history and sound. They may be guilty of overdoing it. But then with Dionysus in the house, you can hardly expect moderation to come easily.
The Mid-life Crisis of Dionysus is at the MainLine Theatre through March 6, 2010. For details and tickets go to the MainLine site.
