BWW Reviews: TRAILS at Village – A Slow Starter But Worth the Hike

A new musical about two old friends hiking the Appalachian Trail doesn't sound like a dead lock winner does it? I mean, how much can we sing about hiking? And while it does take a bit to really hook into you and at times isn't so sure of its footing, the new musical "Trails" currently playing at Village Theatre manages to walk off with your heart through some very fine performances.

This new musical which had a workshop reading at the Village Originals Festival a few years back has grown up a bit since then. Authors Christy Hall, Jeff Thomson and Jordan Mann have nicely fleshed out the relationship between main characters Seth and Mike (Joshua Carter and Dane Stokinger) as they fulfill a promise to Amy (Kirsten deLohr Helland), the woman they both love, to hike the entire Appalachian Trail and along the way rekindle a sibling-like friendship that has fallen away over time. On the way they encounter others who have their own reasons for making the trek. The optimistic newly engaged Faith (Sarah Rose Davis), the embattled drunk searching for redemption Virgil (John Patrick Lowrie) and the free spirited Momma Harley (Bobbi Kotula); each of whom offer up their own paths and help the guys along theirs. The trio also doubles as a kind of Greek chorus of Trail Guides offering up the tone of the show as well as some much needed information on the trail itself for us non-hikers.

As I said, the show has grown up some but it still has a ways to go. It still takes a little while to get going and falls into the trap of trying to get us to care too quickly for these two the same way some other friendship redemption musicals such as "The Story of My Life" or "Vanities" do. But once we do care the show manages some beautiful songs, heart tugging moments and even some good laughs. Sure some scenes still falter and some resolutions seem a bit contrived but you tend to overlook the faults for a show with plenty of heart.

Much of that is owed to the superb cast. Stokinger and Carter couldn't have better chemistry together and each takes their moments to rip the audience's heart out and run with them. Stokinger with his gorgeous pipes mesmerizes during his "The One That Got Away" and Carter couldn't be heart breakingly sweeter with "Millions of Reasons". You can instantly see how both of them can fall for the spunky deLohr Helland who captivates with a strong, intelligent and quirky character not to mention an incredible voice. Lowrie's deep booming voice resonates beyond your ears and into your spine. Davis couldn't be cuter as the giddy young bride and delivers a lovely soul enriching ballad. And, of course, Kotula does her usual job of stealing her scenes with her hysterical Momma Harley and show stopping "The Road Is My Home".

Director Eric Ankrim does an admirable job of never letting the staging get stale as he maneuvers the cast from Georgia to Maine on a remarkable set from Jen Zeyl that somehow never gets old or looks like the actors are just walking in circles. And without that illusion the show could easily devolve into a long walk to nowhere. And although the trail isn't always smooth the story does continue to find its core and tell a wonderful story with some great tunes. I still don't know how well something of this nature might fare beyond the stages of Village Theatre like to the stages of Broadway (maybe Off-Broadway) but for a story about a sweet bromance it manages to deliver plenty to be proud of.

"Trails" performs at Village Theatre's Issaquah location through April 21^st and then moves to their Everett location running April 26^th through May 19^th. For tickets or information contact the Issaquah box office at 425-392-2202 or the Everett box office at 425-257-8600 or visit them online at www.villagetheatre.org.

Photo credit: John Pai