Streaming Review: NATHAN C. JONES: A LOVE STORY? A NEW MUSICAL
Joe Szekeres, Supervisory Toronto Critic
Adaptability is the name of the game and key during this time of the pandemic and our being able to see any live theatre productions. I travelled virtually to Los Angeles, California and to The Blank Theatre to review the world premiere of ‘Nathan C. Jones: A Love Story?’ streamed through You Tube.
I did not watch the premiere on May 28 but got to it a month later. Artistic Director Daniel Henning (and director of this production), spoke of the 30th anniversary of the company, so it’s refreshing to hear how the theatre provides a safe and nurturing environment for artists to explore not only who they are but who they could be. The Blank is a place for artists to push the envelope and to take risks.
I took at look at the partial alumni list of those who have tread the boards on The Blank website and discovered some recognisable names of extraordinary performers who garnered Academy awards and nominations, ‘did’ television and tread the boards of New York City’s Great White Way.
Very impressive indeed.
And a bold risk was bravely taken for this world premiere since it couldn’t be staged live on account of the coronavirus.
I’m then introduced to Nathan C. Jones (Amir Levi), a one man musical performance piece where the audience very slowly begins to watch how an initially schleppy awkward man unravels into (what some of the press publicity was calling) a ‘deranged’ individual.
As the story begins, Nathan appears to be uncomfortably asleep on his black leather couch in his living room clad in white t shirt and striped pajama bottoms that look as if they were from a jail cell. It’s not made clear to me why Nathan does not sleep in his bedroom. The living room is typical for a young man who appears to have other things on his mind. The end table stage right looked like there were possible pill bottles with a few papers scattered. Off stage left is Nathan’s kitchen where his goldfish Norman lives in a bowl. Each morning, Nathan receives a call service from an unseen guy named Chad. The audience is then led on Nathan’s quest to secure a fulfilling and lasting relationship with ‘Chad’.
Well, this schleppy Nathan blows it on all account with said Chad.
(Spoiler alerts here) And yes, it’s about twenty minutes in where I just could sense this ‘Fatal Attraction’ like story link would come to pass.
A one-person musical show is recognizably a challenge to carry as everything falls on the shoulders of the performer. For the most part, Amir Levi rose admirably to accept the challenge. His geeky and co-dependent Nathan is effeminately cheeky initially combined with a touch of abrasive sassiness and chutzpah.
There were a few times where I could sense Mr. Levi was possibly channeling Tim Curry’s ‘Frankenfurter’ from ‘The Rocky Horror Show’, and that annoyingly brought me out of the moment of intensely watching a man who should be leading me as well on the path of destruction . At some of the camera closeups, Levi licks his lips and pouts his mouth seductively in the same manner as Curry does in the film. Additionally, some of the filming/camera techniques are awkward. At one point, Mr. Levi stands, and his head is cut off and all we see is his torso.
The production is by no means a failure as there are some clever elements that nicely worked for me.
Brendan Milburn and Vanessa Claire Stewart’s adroit music and lyrics are crisply delivered with just the right jab and punch of the words by Amir Levi’s solid singing. It truly was a blessing to be able to hear the consonants in each of the words sung so tremendous kudos to Mr. Levi and the head microphone. Director Daniel Henning smartly kept the production pace clicking along in a naturalistic fashion.
FINAL COMMENTS: Was it worth the risk that I took to watch this world premiere? Yes, it was. It might be interesting to see how this production fares live in front of an audience where we can keep our focus on the central character.
‘Nathan C. Jones: A Love Story’ hosted by The Bland Theatre, Los Angeles, California. Website: theblank.com.
Book by Vanessa Claire Stewart Based on an idea by Amir Levi Lyrics by Brendan Milburn & Vanessa Claire Stewart Music by Brendan Milburn Directed by Daniel Henning
You can find the production here.