From Generation to Generation
Book by Karen Sokolof Javitch
& Elaine Jabenis
Music & Lyrics by Karen Sokolof Javitch
Directed by David Zak
Musical Direction by Gerald H. Bailey
Choreography by Heather Haneman
Produced by Genesis Productions NFP, Inc
At Stage 773, Chicago
Warm sentimental family-friendly musical carries on a legacy
Karen Sokolofjavitch and Elaine Jabenis have penned a touching, feel-good musical that passes the “Jerry Herman test” – it sends you home humming the melodies . With warm and fuzzy tunes like the title tune, “Life Was Simple Then,” and “My Bubbie and Me,” together with cute show-stoppers like “Going On A Mission” and “I Love to Kvetch,” From Generation to Generation unfolds as a charming family legacy.
We meet Rose Lieberman (Susan Veronika Adler) a dying mother soon to be a grandmother as she battles cancer in order to be alive when her grand daughter is born. Just to be safe, Rose makes an “ethical will” (an audio and visual series of tapes) so she can tell her yet-to-be-born grand daughter all about her and the family history. She want to share her memorable life with her heir.
Told with humor, loads of heart with quirky yet lovable characters, From Generation to Generation is a cute bouncy musical featuring a nice assortment of non-Equity players. A family saga filled with history, Jewish tradition and a memorable score awaits.
Susan Adler is wonderful as the bubbie (grandmother). She is surrounded by her loving daughter and her lifelong friends who support her along her path toward death. This heartfelt show is sentimental and tear-full yet it is an celebration of life and Jewish traditions with loads of humor and zany characters.
The songs are sung adequately with a clear enunciation upon Gerald Bailey’s tuneful musical direction. Baily’s music never drowns out the singers despite the bad acoustics in the South Stage 773 space. Heather Haneman’s cute choreography added a human touch. This celebration of the human spirit as told through Rose Lieberman is a tearful as well as moving musical that leaves us with a warm feeling that it is good to be a human! While the musical is about a Jewish family, its roots are universal – family – tradition – legacy all reign. From Generation to Generation is a terrific show for synagogs and community theatres. Rose’s journey is inspirational as told with a fine score. The show is family friendly.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2011
For full show information, go to the From Generation to Generation TheatreinChicago page.
At Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL, Call 773-327-5252, www.stage773.com, tickets $30, Thursdays thru Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3 pm, running time is 1 hour, 50 minutes with intermission, through May 1, 2011