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Madame X
Music & Lyrics by Paul Bruce
Book by Stephanie Masse (Hammonds)
Base on the play “La Femme X” by Alexandre Bisson
Directed by Harry “C” Campagna
Choreographed by Stacey Flaster
Produced by AlleyCat Productions
At the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts
777 N. Green Street
Chicago, IL
Call 312-733-6000, tickets $40 - $55
(Call for Holiday schedule changes)
Wednesdays at 2 PM & 7 PM
Thursdays at 7 PM
Fridays at 8 PM
Saturdays at 3 & 8 PM
Sundays at 3 PM
Running time is 2 hours, 15 minutes with intermission
Through December 3, 2006
Captivating musical drama awaits your pleasure
What a surprise! An excellent, well sung, beautifully staged musical drama featuring a lush score with a compelling book. This is a gem of a show which just might be the finest non-Equity world premiere to hit Chicago in years. Harry “C” Campagna has cast many of the strongest local voices led by co-book writer Stephanie Hammonds in the title role and Kenneth Z. Kendall as Louis Floriot, the Madame’s husband. With a workable set and terrific period customs (by Janice Pytel), Madame X has the tone, scope and feel of recent past successful musicals such as Jane Eyre, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Jekyll and Hyde with hints of Les Miz. That’s terrific company for this enjoyable world premiere. This show isn’t too far from being ready for Broadway.
Based on the 1906 play by Alexandre Bisson with a 1966 film adaptation featuring Lana Turner, John Forsythe, Ricardo Montalban and Burgess Meredith, Madame X, with exquisite music and lyrics by Paul Bruce, stays true to the famous plot. Bruce’s marvelous rhythmic sounds interlock the past and present while underscored with haunting melodies that are memorable and effective. This is a potent story of love, betrayal and forgiveness set in France the 1880’s. When the silent Madame X is arrested for murdering her companion in 1901 Bordeaux, France, the town is ablaze with rumors and gossip. The trial unravels a web of events dating back 20 years. Madame X is represented by Raymond Floriot (Stanton Nash) the son of a famous Paris attorney and the truth becomes closer to home than anyone could ever guess.
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The story goes back to 1880 where Louis Floriot’s (Kenneth Z. Kendall) obsession with his work leaves little time for his wife Jacqueline (Madame X’s real name, played intensely and marvelously sung by Stephanie Hammonds). When he discovers her kissing his friend at the opera, Louis throws Jacqueline out of his house and out of his son’s life. She retreats to a street life of prostitution, drugs and she ends up in Argentina with Loroque (David Tibble). Her son Raymond grows up and she arrives back in France in 1901 as a part of a scheme Loroque concocts with two local conmen, Merivel (Jonathan Wagner) and Perissard (Karl Hamilton).
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When Jacqueline realizes that her companion is plotting to make trouble for her former husband and her son, she shoots him dead. She refuses to speak to her attorney until she realizes that he is her son. The dramatically powerful ending culminates a journey aptly filled with rich harmonies from the strong voices that deftly land the wonderful Paul Bruce lyrics. The music is encompassing and fresh with sophisticated arrangements that enhance the story effectively. Kenneth Z. Kendall’s fine tenor is a treat while Stephanie Hammonds classical voice makes Madame X as formidable character. The fine acting adds strength to the work.
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Choreographer Stacey Flaster underscores the music with smart movement especially in the vaudevillian comic relief number “Confidential Missions” in act two. The integration of the music adds seamlessness to the story that enhances the mood, motivation and atmosphere. This is a remarkably polished and complete show that begs for Broadway. The only cuts I’d make are with some of the comic bits between Perissard and Merivel since them seem forced and out of place. The show’s power doesn’t need that shtick.
Producers need to see this gem before it gets snatched up. Lovers of musical drama and rich vocals will be enthralled with this powerful show. I’d like to see it again, it’s that good!
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date reviewed: October 7, 2006
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