Julie Atherton’s production of
a beautifully human musical
The musical by Adam Gwon follows four very different yet in some respects similar New Yorkers. Their lives are like threads: separate, but weaving in and out of each other, intersecting at moments before then going their separate ways. We meet the pairs at seemingly opposite ends of their relationships; Warren (Dean Makowski-Clayton) is an artist who revels in the beauty and intricacies of life, a quintessential dreamer who tries to teach Deb (Hannah Turner), a graduate student who is incredibly ambitious, how to let go, slow down and look around at life once in a while. Jason (Jonathan Carlton) has just moved in with his girlfriend because he wants to be closer to her, whilst Claire (Laura Dawn Pyatt), on the other hand, is having trouble letting go of the past and letting Jason in. It’s essentially an hour-long one-sided conversation with four friends that you get to know really well by the end.
The piece is cleverly constructed. Most of what we are told comes through a stream of consciousness as the actors talk, or rather sing, about their feelings and what they are going through with an immediacy that is highly engaging. The focus remains on the characters throughout, thanks to the simplicity of the musical’s design from the tech to the accompaniment. Bob Sterett’s set design lets the actors construct their world as they need, slowly building to the New York skyline, which allows us to use our imagination and see the world through their eyes. The lighting design by Domino Mannheim is incredibly subtle, and helps us follow the parallels between the different story lines. The design adds gravity to the quieter moments and ballads that not only focus our attention but add vulnerability to the actors’ performances. Gwon’s music often reflects the characters themselves, for example, Deb’s rapid fire staccato-like lyrics and melodies match her fast-paced thinking and busybodiness. Like the set and lighting, the accompaniment itself is very basic; the focus is on the words and the emotions and this proves to be very touching. The strategy pays off, because we become immersed in their lives and that triggers our emotional response. We see their world, and New York, through them and it’s amazing to behold.
Makowski-Clayton , Turner, Carlton and Pyatt could have had an empty stage, and still would have given outstanding performances. Makowski-Clayton imbues Warren with a sense of eagerness touched with warmth. Turner’s portrayal of Deb is high-energy, strung out, and at times comic, as she rattles off lyrics and thoughts at a pace that stops us lingering for too long on the heavier moments. In his portrayal of Jason, Carlton is very open, honest, straightforward and endearing, managing a tear-jerking rendition of Favourite Places. Pyatt matched that with I’ll Be Here, using her powerful voice, micro gestures and a range of expressions to build her character.
This musical is only as strong as its actors, and they are phenomenal. Ordinary Days is a beautifully human musical, bringing the problems the characters face home to us and breaking down the distance between audience and character. An incredible production and anything but ordinary.
