THEATER REVIEW

Medieval musical makes robust premiere

by TOM TITUS

Huntington Beach playwright Joe Syiek has realized his dreams with the world premiere of his original musical, "The Golden Dream," on the stage of the Huntington Beach Playhouse.
 

Syiek -- who wrote the book and lyrics for this elaborate and ambitious project, set in medieval times in a fictional kingdom -- takes his story beyond the point at which most such epics end, into the harsh reality that follows the "happily ever after" phase. Set to the often-stirring musical score of Erik Przytulski, "The Golden Dream" reaches out to touch the hearts of its audience before adding layers of frustration that effectively flesh out the characters and add the Achilles heel of mortality. It is a robust, dynamic production, superbly directed by Stephen Reifenstein. At the outset, a young and fiery peasant, Alec (Dan Wozniak), incensed by the tyranny of the king (Michael J. Keeney), vows to overthrow him( there's a good deal of vowing throughout the show). When the king's evil son (Nathan Hieger) kills Alec's father, this mission is ignited with a vengeance. That the king is deposed and Alec assumes the crown is hardly the climax of this show, nor should it be viewed as a plot spoiler. The mundane duties of a ruler wear heavily on Alec's shoulders, but the old fire returns when a dark knight threatens the kingdom -- at last, there are battles to be won.

Fifteen years later, the dark knight is still at large, and Alec has married and fathered two young daughters, who grieve to see him constantly off to the wars. Vowing (that term again) that this will be his last battle, the young king presses on with his weary troops for a final confrontation.

Wozniak delivers a powerful performance, both dramatically and vocally, as the idealistic peasant-king, and just as effectively depicts the ennui of those who wear the crown. It is an intelligent and thoughtful interpretation of a conflicted character.

As the deposed king's stepdaughter who initially resists Alec's ardor but eventually embraces him, Nickie Gentry displays flashes of fire and a fine voice to match.

The vocal highlight of the show, however, is the richly defined performance of the always-excellent Adriana Sanchez as a widow who enters into a marriage of convenience with the king to provide her daughter with a better life.

Paul Anthony Hanegan, who doubles as the minstrel narrator and Alec's strong if often steely right hand, delivers a terrific performance. The art of melodramatic villainy -- complete with cackle, sneer and ominous eyes -- is rendered with malevolent gusto by Nathan Hieger as the deposed king's son and avenging dark knight.

The production is backed by an exceptionally strong chorus under Przytulski's musical direction, as well as by choreography for dancing and fighting by Edward Bangasser. Even the playwright's two children, Alex and Joanna, get into the act, with the latter serving as assistant musical director.

The multifaceted setting -- designed and dressed by Andrew Otero, who also created the fine costumes -- is an impressively medieval background. Kiana St. Laurent's lighting is equally effective.

"The Golden Dream" is a dream come true for the Huntington Beach Playhouse, which has brought this difficult and demanding work to fruition, realizing its achievement with a standing ovation on opening night. It's refreshing to see something new under the theatrical sun.

 

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.