by Mark G. Auerbach
Special to Berkshire on Stage
Goodspeed has opened its 40th season at its Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, CT, doing what it does best there…premiering a new musical. A Complicated Woman, the biography of summer stock producer John Kenley opens the season, running through June 2.
John Kenley was the landmark theatre producer who brought the biggest names of Broadway and Hollywood to his Ohio theatre circuit in the 1950’s-1970’s. He was legend for his producing skills (and many in.the theatre community knew of his “secret”. When the summer theatre season closed, John moved to Florida, where he lived as a woman named Jean).
Broadway’s Jeff Calhoun of Newsies fame learned Kenley’s story directly from Kenley. Calhoun, librettist Ianne Fields Stewart, composer/lyricist Jonathan Brielle, and additional lyricist Sam Salmond have put together a thoughtful musical biography of Kenley, with a score reminiscent of the golden age of Broadway.
By the way, Kenley is not the first non-binary character on Broadway. (Hedwig and The Angry inch, and the most recent version of Some Like It Hot preceded A Complicated Woman.) A Complicated Woman respects Kenley’s non-binary persona, and amongst the musical’s creative talents are several self-identifying non-binary, gender fluid, or trans people including Nora Brigid Monahan as Kenley, and L. Morgan Lee, the first out trans actor to receive a Tony nomination for their performance in A Strange Loop.
Jeff Calhoun’s staging is steady, and clever, considering he’s given the show a big Broadway musical feel on an intimate stage. Tobin Ost’s sets incorporate some of the graphic designs that Kenley actually used for his Ohio theaters, and Phuong Nguyen’s costume designs reflect the 50s and 60s. Debra Barsha’s music direction is spirited, and she has great material to work with, especially with Jonathan Brielle’s and Nathan Dame’s orchestrations. Rob Denton’s lighting design and Jay Hilton’s sound design are accomplished.
Nora Brigid Monahan plays John and Jean with aplomb, finding subtle differences between each character, and bringing triumph to the roles, as both sides find their strengths. L. Morgan Lee is a joy to watch as she captures Nina Mae, Jean’s best friend, with a balance of humor and strength. Broadway stalwart Klea Blackhurst brings sass to her role as John’s sister, and the rest of the cast are accomplished.
A Complicated Woman has a couple of songs, the hummable “The Man Who Runs The Show” and “Why Can’t We Be Both” a number with double meaning, that could become standards, if enough people get to hear them. I found the score on first listen to be engaging, slightly retro, and fun…the kind of score I’d play again.
I hope A Complicated Woman has a life after Goodspeed. Kenley’s accomplished life is well-remembered in the theatre world, and John’s and Jean’s story are worth telling. And, this production does John and Jean well by wrapping acceptance for both in a loving “show biz” way.
Goodspeed Musicals presents A Complicated Woman. Book by Ianne Fields Stewart. Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Brielle. Additional Lyrics by Sam Salmond. Scenic Design by Tobin Ost. Costume Design by Phuong Nguyen. Lighting Design by Rob Denton. Sound Design by Jay Hilton. Hair & Wig Design by Tommy Kurzman. Orchestrations by Jonathan Brielle & Nathan Dame. Music Direction by Debra Barsha. Directed & Choreographed by Jeff Calhoun. Performances run through June 2 at the Terris Theatre, Chester, CT. For details: www.goodspeed.org.
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and The Yale School of Drama. He has worked for arts organizations nationwide, and reported on the arts for print and broadcast. Mark produces and hosts ArtsBeat, Athenaeum Spotlight and On The Mark for WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB. He’s a regular contributor to Pioneer Valley Radio and a member of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association.