Honeyland
Written by Clarry Evans and Denny Lawrence; Directed by Denny Lawrence
The Triad at 158 W 72nd St, NYC
Sunday, October 13 - Saturday, November 2nd, 2024
Photo Credit by Brisbane
Somehow, in what almost seems unfathomable, this was my first trip to The Triad. The theater was built in 1984 and was the original home of four of the most successful shows in off-Broadway History, including Forbidden Broadway, Forever Plaid, and Spamilton while month-long workshop production of Seth Rudetsky’s show Disaster! went on to a Broadway production at the Nederlander Theater. A-lister comedians and singers have called The Triad home, while true heavy-hitters like Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minnelli, Jack Nicholson and Robert De Niro used the space for readings and workshops in the 80s.
Honeyland is a little play stepping into some very big shoes. Wedged somewhere between musical review and play, this show boasts the Off-Broadway debut of 4 of the 6 cast members. While you’ll hear all 6, you’ll only see 4 at any performance with the 2 understudies adding their voices to the mix backstage. Their blend is so spot on, a credit to Musical Director Clare Cooper, and balances so well with the trio playing along, that it’s musically quite beautiful.
Honeyland begins with Mike, Ben James Tyrrell, in VietNam. The story jumps back and forth in time, from Mike’s time as a college student in Boston in the late 60’s, running a theatre-as-protest group before his number being called up. His tight circle of friends include Tom, Jacob Higdon, a writer we meet as he returns from London years after his time in the avante garde theater group; Helen, Anika Buchanan, his love interest; and Fran, Abby Goldberg, who rounds out the friend group and also picks up the narration part way through the show. Each performance shows the tremendous potential of each of the performers. While this may constitute debuts for three of the four, they will certainly be seen again and often.
Often the issue with limited runs, reviewers see shows too soon. We see them before the discoveries that come from longer preview periods can be made. Ideas that were great in rehearsal prove less great in reality. Army combat ponchos with out-of-the-package square fold lines, Shaggy from Scooby-Doo wigs, overly elaborate changes – will soon be discovered to be unnecessary. Personally, I’d be less distracted by a short-haired boy in the 60s than an ill-fitting wig. The focus here needs to be on the beauty of the voices and the talent of these young performers.
New plays need to be seen to grow and develop. Honeyland has so much to recommend it, and it will grow in this run and subsequent. Be a part of that - support small theatre. Support small theatre in great venues with a lovely cocktail. Enjoy!
Click HERE for tickets.
Review by Nicole Jesson.
Published by Theatre Beyond Broadway on October 15th, 2024. All rights reserved.