PMT breathes life into 'The Dead'

JAMES JOYCE'S THE DEAD, PIONEER THEATRE COMPANY, Pioneer Memorial Theatre, University of Utah, through March 5 (581-6961). Running time: 95 minutes (no intermission).

As has been mentioned by others, "James Joyce'sThe Dead" may not be the best title for the new musical making its regional premier at the Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre.

Granted that is the name of Joyce's short story, on which the play is based, but "The Dead" would be better suited to a musical based on that grateful rock band, "Jerry Garcia's The Dead," or a musical with zombies, "George Romero's The Undead."

The Tony Award-winning "The Dead" is a sweetly quiet show that eschews the usual musical trappings — grand plots; brassy, belted ballads and show-stopping numbers. Instead, the play focuses on the intimacy of a group of family and friends sharing music with one another.

For the most part, the story takes place at a Christmas party in Dublin, Ireland, in 1904. The party is a annual event put on by the elderly Morkan sisters Julia (Alice Cannon) and Kate (Leila Martin), and their niece Mary Jane (Trish Reading). All three are music teachers, and a main component of the party is the musical performances the hosts and guests prepare.

One of the guests is Gabriel Conroy (Michael DeVries), who also serves as the narrator, at times removing himself from the goings-on to address the audience.

Much of the show has the various guests entertaining each other by singing Irish tunes both somber (such as the beautiful duet "Adieu to Ballyshannon") and spirited (the humorous "Naughty Girls," sung by the elderly sisters). Through the first three acts there really is not much of a driving storyline, just friends singing and enjoying one another's company.

This lack of story is either the show's virtue or vice depending on how you like your entertainment. For most of the show the audience feels like a passer-by who has stopped to peak through the windows and listen in on a warm-hearted party.

There is a bit of story in the short final act, where Gabriel realizes that there are depths to his wife that he had previously not known. While it works to bring a bit of poignancy and add texture, it also comes a bit out of left field, considering the context and feeling of the show to that point.

As usual, the staging and acting in this Pioneer Theatre production are top-notch, breathing quite a bit of life into this "Dead." DeVries is a warm presence as Gabriel, and he is well-matched with Brigid Brady, who touchingly plays his emotionally broken wife Gretta.

Sean Arbuckle, as the spunky and tipsy Freddie, does a wonderful job of keeping things light, and Dillon McCartney as Bartell D'Arcy has only one solo, but shows his voice is nothing less than marvelous.

"The Dead" is a reason to re-Joyce.

Sensitivity rating: Suitable for all audiences, including children 10 and under.

---

E-mail: p_thunell@hotmail.com