'Dead' but not deadly

If James Joyce's "The Dead" had a subtitle — and Pioneer Theatre Company artistic director Charles Morey is just one of many who wish it did — it might be "A Dublin Christmas."

"This is a wonderful show once you get past the title," Morey said prior to a rehearsal. "I can't imagine a worse title."

The Tony Award-winning musical, which garnered highly positive reviews when it played on Broadway in 2000, will have its regional premiere this week on Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre's Lees Main Stage.

Morey is directing the Pioneer Theatre Company production. "I've talked to my colleagues around the country, and everyone wants to do it, but they're all scared of the title. It's a very sweet, charming little gem. It's filled with Irish dance and song and some lovely and touching ballads as well.

"But you can't deal with the title. I just hope word of mouth will be strong."

Adapted from Joyce's 1914 collection of short stories "Dubliners," the story was adapted for the stage — and turned into a musical — by composer-lyricist Shaun Davey and lyricist-director Richard Nelson. (Nelson directed the Broadway version.)

The action revolves around two spinster aunts, Julia and Kate Morkan, and their unmarried niece, Mary — all three of whom are music teachers. They are entertaining friends and family at their annual Twelfth Night party. The evening's proceedings are narrated by Julia's favorite nephew, Gabriel Conroy.

Marni Nixon, who performed the role of the cantankerous Ouiser in PTC's recent production of "Steel Magnolias," played Aunt Kate in the Broadway production. "We had talked to Marni about staying around after 'Steel Magnolias,' but 'The Dead' is such an ensemble show," she was unable to fit it in, Morey said. (The rehearsal schedule for one didn't work with the performance schedule of the other.)

"The aunts are the emotional glue, but the show is really centered on Gabriel," said Morey. The two maiden aunts have had parties on the same date for 30 years. "They sing and dance, have a dinner and tell stories. And Gabriel realizes certain truths that come to him during the evening.

"The ultimate truth that the play speaks about is the unity of all creatures and the spiritual unity of both the living and the dead within God's grace. This is the last story in Joyce's 'Dubliners' collection and is considered to be one of the greatest short stories ever written."

The cast of both New York veterans and local players includes Alice Cannon and Leila Martin as, respectively, Aunt Julie and Aunt Kate, with Michael Devies as Gabriel Conroy. Brigid Brady, who performed here previously in "Guys and Dolls" and "Anything Goes," plays Gabriel's wife, Gretta.

Local players include Max Robinson as Mr. Browne, Margaret Crowell as Mrs. Malins, Trish Reading as Mary Jane, Emily Jeppson as Lily, Ashlee Lapine as Rita and Young Julia, and Joey Dixon as Michael.

In addition to being "utterly charming," said Morey, "it's only 90 minutes long. But it would have had a much longer run on Broadway if they had changed the title."

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