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Stuck
Book, Music & Lyrics by Riley Thomas
Directed by Riley Thomas
At La Costa Theatre
3931 N. Elston
Chicago, IL
Call 866-468-3401, tickets $20
Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 4 pm
Running time is 2 hours with intermission
Through March 16, 2008
Promising original musical wins your heart
Six people, one train, Stuck
The young ambitious folks at La Costa Theatre don’t realize that you just don’t attempt to mount a new musical with the book, music and lyrics by one person, especially with an unknown composer. However, I’m delighted to report that Riley Thomas and the crew at La Costa Theatre have mounted a most promising and enjoyable fresh new musical. Stuck has hints of Rent and the cult film The Breakfast Club and it is influenced by Billy Joel, Michael John LaChiusa and Jason Robert Brown. Riley Thomas’ breakthrough work contains a score of 14 songs that range from Pop/rock to R & B to haunting ballads to a tender lullaby with jazz and samba tunes ending with two powerful anthems. Stuck is filled with hummable melodies and fine harmonies. Thomas combines pop sensibilities with contemporary Broadway musical styles to tell his story. His songs come out of character and plot effectively. Riley Thomas demonstrates that he is a playwright/composer of enormous talent. Stuck is a world premiere that is polished and quite stage worthy for a first mounting.
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As every CTA train passenger knows, delays happen. When six riders from six different walks of life find themselves ‘stuck’ in a tunnel late at night in a subway car, their interaction contrasts their dichotomy as each discovery their commonality and their humanity. Thomas’ dynamic characters mirror our diverse urban society. Lloyd (Terry Price) the African-American homeless panhandler and philosopher aggressively solicit the passengers for cash. Caleb (Peter Oyloe), the Goth-dressed disillusioned college student pays him to shut up. Alica (Jennifer Knox) is the blond bimbo princess student while Ramon (Jesus Martinez, Jr.) is the hard working Mexican immigrant striving to survive. Eve (Samara Smith) is the African-American young female struggling with her unwanted pregnancy. Sue (Jeanne T. Arrigo) is the up-tight mature woman who never got over the death of her teenage son. Each have moments to tell their stories and vent their angst. The dynamic that emerges works to produce a seamless musical.
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The opening ensemble number “Delayed” sets the tone as anger erupts. A clear elocution would give the lyrics more power. ”The Girl in the Mirror’ tune allows us to enter the mind of the blond girl. Jennifer Knox needs to project to be heard.
Lloyd, Eve, Alicia and Caleb sing the cute “Bubblegum Baby” as an R & B treat. The “Stuck” song is a doo woop anthem nicely led by Terry Price’s rich voice. “Move it Along” is Ramon’s song that Jesus Martinez. Jr. delivers nicely. Peter Oyloe’s strong vocal range deftly nails the angst and sadness of Caleb in the haunting “Renewed.” Act one ends with the rhythmic dance tune “The Subway Samba.”
Act two opens with Eve defending her decision to abort her pregnancy with “Eve’s song”—an emotional powerful Samara Smith. Peter Oyloe’s talents allow him to sing “My Song,” the riveting suicide number depicting Sue’s son’s death. Oyloe is wonderful with emotionally draining songs. His clarity and truthfulness are ringing. Sue sings a tender tribute to a mother’s love in “Now that You’re Gone.” Arrigo is terrific with that stirring song. Arrigo and Matrinez create a soothing tone with the child’s “Lullaby.”
Stuck ends with an epiphany realization by Caleb and the others in the heartwarming serious and melodic universal anthem “Everyone Wants to be Loved.” This fine song (the show’s best) allows each character to sing their desire for love and understanding. It is followed by the optimistic ode to a hopeful life with another big, emotional anthem, “Moving On.” As the show ends, I was glad I spent two hours with these folks. Their truthfulness and humanity shine through.
With some tightening and clear articulation of Thomas’ lyrics by some cast members, Stuck could emerge as popular contemporary musical. Riley Thomas is a composer to watch. Get to La Costa Theatre in Old Irving Park to see where young fearless talents are creating art. For only $20 you can experience a fine musical.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2008
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