Review: BACKSTAGE WITH THE CREATORS OF INVISIBLE THREAD Crackles with Energy at the Eccles Center

BACKSTAGE WITH THE CREATORS OF INVISIBLE THREAD--a one-night-only presentation at the Eccles Center in Park City last Saturday--crackled with energy.

Billed as "part concert, part storytelling, part call to action," the unique show was an intimate sit-down with Griffin Matthews and Matt Gould, who co-created the off-Broadway musical INVISIBLE THREAD (formerly known as WITNESS UGANDA).

The concert aspect of the evening was the most enjoyable, with current and cut numbers from the musical performed together by Gould and Matthews. (Matthews played a fictionalized version of himself in INVISIBLE THREAD's American Repertory Theater and off-Broadway incarnations, both directed by Diane Paulus.) The two talented men were joined by a local band that impressed.

Their powerful music pulled on the heartstrings with its rhythmic beats, memorable hooks, and striking messages.

Filled with interesting true stories of their work as co-directors of UgandaProject, which helps provide education for children in Uganda, their dialogue was casual, yet purposeful. There was never a dull moment. After hearing the behind-the-scenes stories and listening to the music, however, one couldn't help but wish the creators had spoken more about the plot of the musical and how it was tied to them.

The evening ended with a question and answer session, in which Matthews and Gould said they hope for continued life for the piece, whether it be on Broadway or somewhere else. A cast album could also potentially be in the works in the next 6-12 months, if all goes well.

For more information about and to purchase tickets for future shows at the Eccles Center, call the box office at 435-655-3114 or visit www.ecclescenter.org.

Photo Credit: L-R Matt Gould and Griffin Matthews

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