Review: THE FLOOD Gracefully Tells the Tale of Turmoil in the Heartland

On Saturday, September 8, Prospect Theater Company mounted a concert production of Peter Mills and Cara Reichel's new original musical The Flood. In the summer of 1993, the town of Valmeyer, Illinois was devastated when the levees broke and the Mississippi river overtook the town. The Flood fictionalizes this tale, resetting it in the town of Meyerville where a host of characters bring heart to the moving tale.

The musical begins with the personified River (Simone Zamore) singing a haunting serenade. We meet the townfolk, Susan (Victoria Huston-Elem) the school teacher, her students the young lovers Raleigh (Ben Fankhauser) and Alice (Mia Pinero), Mayor Keller (Scott Wakefield), Alice's sister Rosemary (Aline Mayagoitia), their father Ezekial (Aaron Ramey), and Susan's longtime boyfriend Curtis (Graham Stevens).

School is out and the festivities of summer have begun. Raleigh is desperate for a car and an escape from small town life. Alice and Susan struggle with committing to their significant others.

We quickly learn that the town has received record rainfall and the Mississippi River is threatening to overtake them. Ezekial is a man of the land who respects the river's power and believes each year will be the year of their demise. The townspeople ban together to tackle the problems at hand with the Mayor rousing confidence. Meanwhile the characters form bonds in the face of personal struggle, loss, and the chance to start over.

The Flood boasted a cast of impressive performers. From her first moment on stage, Simone Zamore as the River was utterly entrancing and effortlessly portrayed the gracefulness and formidable nature of the Mississippi. Ben Fankhauser's talent shone brightly in Raleigh's blow away number 'Highway Miles' and he maintained a touching vulnerability and determination throughout the piece. Victoria Huston-Elem's rich voice beautifully captivated in her role as Susan, while Aaron Ramey's vocal prowess masterfully captured the imposing character of Ezekial.

Mills and Reichal collaborated on book, music and lyrics, and this concert production was clearly not the musical's first incarnation as Reichal explained in her curtain speech. The musical is tight and shows a keen proclivity for the creative process. The music and lyrics are beautifully intwined, the lyrics clever and the music dynamic. The Act 1 number 'Song of the Cicadas' is particularly memorable with lovely dynamics and harmonies between Susan, Raleigh, Alice, and Curtis.

Reichal's direction showed a clear understanding of the show and the nature of its concert performance. Entrances, exits, and locations within scene were easily delineated and the movement across the stages felt organic. The limited costuming was a carefully curated touch, while the lighting effectively set the scene, particularly during the Fourth of July fireworks as it flashed with each burst.

The production also incorporated more than 30 singers from Monroe County and Valmeyer, Illinois- the community which survived the Great Flood of 1993 and whose stories inspired the musical. Their voices enhanced the feeling of community so critical to the power of the piece.

Ultimately The Flood, produced alongside the 25th anniversary of the real event with proceeds going to disaster relief in Puerto Rico (visit www.ProspectTheater.org to donate), is a carefully constructed work portrayed by an expert cast that showcases the power of community in the face of the impossible.

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