BWW Reviews: CROSSING at Signature Theatre is a Delight

The second part of my day/night double-header of world premiere shows at the Signature Theatre is the musical CROSSING by composer and lyricist Matt Conner (with additional lyrics by Grace Barnes) and a book by Barnes. Directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (who also did the set design...has that ever happened before?), CROSSING is an entertaining evening of theater which has been cultivated by the Signature for over five years. The book still needs work but the music is just plain wonderful.

When you enter the MAX theater, the entire cast is already on stage waiting at a train station and wearing the clothes of various eras over the past 100 years. There are railroad tracks in front of the stage and and the facade of a train station. Basically, we are sitting in a waiting room filled with benches. You can hear train whistles in the distance and the unmistakable sounds of trains.

The cast members don't have names. All they have are "years" listed after them. There's a Civil Rights Marcher from 1963 wearing a hat, a winter coat, gloves, and a pocket-book (Ines Nassara), a Woman in Pink from 1954 (Tracy Olivera) and her young son wearing black Jack Purcell sneakers and plays with a yo-yo (John Ray), a soldier in uniform with his mother in a dress which could have been from the musical RAGTIME from 1917 (Peggy Yates and Austin Colby), a Woman with Flowers, 1977 (Florence Lacey), a Wealthy Man in an expensive suit and hat from 1929 (Chris Sizemore), a contemporary Backpacker, 2013 listening to his Ipad (Christopher Mueller), and finally an Unknown Woman who one could say is like the Leading Player from PIPPIN, a narrator (Nova Y. Payton).

Before the lights come down, the actors walk amongst themselves and talk to each other. When the lights go down, we hear the powerful opening number "Here I Am" sung by the entire company, a stirring anthem. The terrific ensemble then sings about "Someone, Something, Somewhere".

Mueller sings about his first trip to Paris reading a guidebook, "Bed and Breakfast".

There's a stirring number "Follow the Drinking Gourd" by Nassara and Payton, an inspiring gospel number about Harriet Tubman and civil rights protests. They sing about freedom busses and freedom trains.

Yates and Colby sing a duet "Lovely Day" about what's facing him fighting in World War I.

Sizemore has his opportunity to belt in "Passing". What a voice he has.

Lacey and Mueller together are highlights "Little Miracles/Everything".

Olivera almost steals the show with her solo "Fly".

Payton shines in "After the Rain" aided by terrific lighting by Chris Lee.

The entire company then ends the short 90 minute musical with "Finale".

Once again Signature boasts a supberb 8 piece orchestra under the baton of Gabriel Mangiante. I was impressed with the bowing of bassist Bill Hones.

This is my third Matt Conner show and I am constantly amazed with his talent as a composer and lyricist. Kudos to the Signature Theatre for presenting this young man's opus.

The only missing part is the book which certainly needs work to link everything together.

But...see for yourself, sit back and relax and listen to the music. You'll be glad you did.

On November 8, Signature presents CROSSING Student night with after show dancing, karaoke and costume contests. Tickets for high school and college students is only $25.

Join composer Matt Conner for "A Matt Conner Christmas" Dec. 17-23.

CROSSING runs to Nov. 24. For tickets call703-573-7328 or visit www.signature-theatre.org.

Coming next is GYPSY with Sherri L. Edelin as Momma Rose running Dec. 17 to January 19 and there will be a special New Year's Eve performance and party.

Finally, Broadway's beloved orchestrator Jonathan Tunick will be honored at the 2014 Sondheim Award Gala on Monday, April 7, 2014 to be held at the Embassy of Italy. For tickets, call 571-527-1828 or visit www.signature-theatre.org/2014-sondheim-award-gala.

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com

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