[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Great Beyond Company and The Hudson Theatre’s Adventures In The Great Beyond with book and lyrics by Tom Chiodo, music by Joe Nedder and directed by Tom Chido.
It’s a particularly wonderful treat to witness the very beginnings of a brand-new musical. Adventures In The Great Beyond is a blissfully naive story of a young college dropout, Virginia, looking for her place in the universe. She takes a late-night bus to anywhere and ends up in the Arizona desert at an ashram and the magical, funny and sweetly moving story unfolds from there.
The cast is wonderful. All hopefully and gleefully smiling their way through some really terrific songs, accompanied by a brilliant rock band hidden away somewhere in the wings. Once Virginia arrives into the welcoming arms of the Ashram, she finds the beginnings of love with Sam, who shows her around and helps her find her feet…even across the burning coals!
The Guru is played with swagger and superb aplomb by Steven Wishnoff and he is your classic well-meaning and almost accidentally wise, aging hippie. Full of wisdom and happy to guide and nap his way through his day. This Ashram, however, is not a scam. Which I am relieved about given my fondness for peace and love. Also, that would have been a very easy target and the earnestness of these people shouldn’t be questioned. We all need some positivity and understanding right now, which is really all these wonderful singers, actors and characters are really looking for.
Adventures In The Great Beyond is a sweet story populated by people who believe in taking care of the earth and each other and of harmonizing their way through the day! There’s a wonderful character in Blu, the local mail person and general guide to the desert played by Connie Jackson and she has one of my favorite numbers, but you will have to see the show to understand why!
Virginia’s mother crashes the party and the impact on Virginia and the Guru is unexpected and highly entertaining. All in all, Adventures In The Great Beyond is a funny, warmly wise musical with not a cynic in sight. How very refreshing! I thoroughly enjoyed it and truly hope this is the first step in its journey to fulfilment and success! Bravo and Namaste!!!
Tickets:
https://www.onstage411.com/newsite/show/play_info.asp?show_id=7161
Where:
The Hudson Theatre
6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90038
When:
November 9 – December 8
Friday and Saturday 8pm and Sunday 3pm
THE CAST
Michael Deni – Sam
Ryan Foreman – Luke
Katherine Heflin – Mattie
Connie Jackson – Blu
Connie Monroe – Harriet
Queenie Navarro – Virginia
Kim Taleas – Marcia
Steven Wishnoff – Krishnamarti
UNDERSTUDIES
Krista Unverferth – Ensemble / Understudy
Aaron Gibbs – Ensemble / Understudy
THE BAND
Piano – Joe Nedder
Guitar – Jacob Abraham
Drums – Joe Kattampallil
THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Director – Tom Chiodo
Musical Director – Joe Nedder
Assistant Director / Musical Staging – Steven Wishnoff
Production Design – Bryon Renison
Costumes – Katherine Heflin
Production Stage Manager – Michelle Elizabeth Vasquez
Assistant Stage Manager – Blanca Chivichon
General Manager / Graphic Design – Travis Pilat
Social Media – Norman King IV
Web Design – Francine Shine
Public Relations – SANDRA KUKER PR (Sandra Kuker-Franco)
Representation and Legal Counsel – Nina Reznick, Esq.
Co-Producer and Managing Director of The Hudson Theatres – Zeke Rettman