Tuesday, March 18, 2003

By DEIDRE SILVA
SPECIAL TO THE POST-INTELLIGENCER

In various interviews, writer Michael McLean agrees with other producers of musicals when he says, "musicals are never finished; just abandoned."

THEATER REVIEW

THE ARK CREATORS: Music by Michael McLean, book and lyrics by Kevin Kelly and Michael McLean; based on the biblical story of Noah's Ark WHEN/WHERE: Village Theatre, Issaquah, through April 20; Everett Performing Arts Center, Everett, April 25 to May 11 TICKETS: $22 to $38, depending on seats and show time. 425-392-2202. Group discounts of 10 or more.

With regard to "The Ark," showing at Issaquah's Village Theatre through April 20, there is hope that McLean hasn't abandoned this promising musical because there is still some tweaking to do.

At a lengthy two hours and 28 songs, co-writers McLean and Kevin Kelly take license by adding comical and heartbreaking family strife into the biblical story of Noah's Ark.

Taryn Darr and Brandon Kuwada are superbly cast as the virginal newlyweds in search of some, ahem, "quality" time together on a crowded boat. Tracy Coe plays the ark's diva with Brandon O'Neill as her doting husband. Scott McLean serves as an indelible image of any era's prodigal son and Lisa Estridge-Gray plays his wife. Hugh Hastings brings a Charlton Heston-like presence to Noah and Bobbi Kotula plays the faithful Eliza.

The audience has a role as the animals aboard the ark and, at one point, the cast hovers excitedly above an unsuspecting viewer, coaching her through the delivery of a lamb. Interestingly, this happens just as the ark's human occupants, sick of sustaining on wheat and barley, considered devouring one of the animals in a visceral tune, aptly named "Dinner."

The lyrics, written by McLean, an accomplished religious/inspirational musician, are true in many pieces to the story's biblical source. The treatment ranges from classic show tunes and rock riffs to the most compelling number in the show -- the gyrating gospel piece "Why Can't We" performed by Estridge-Gray at the end of Act 1.

The stage lighting makes the ark feels dusty and suffocating, helping to embody a feeling of claustrophobia and tedium. Coupled with a slowing pace, much of Act 2 is like turning through a sleepless night, waiting for the sun to come up -- a feeling possibly held by those on the ark.

The show left the audience wanting more -- and not in a good way. Noah sang a powerful number as the door opened onto Mount Ararat but this experience didn't compare to the thrill displayed at the end of the rains (at the end of Act 1) and was not a mighty ending to an otherwise enjoyable musical.

© 1998-2003 Seattle Post-Intelligencer