Theater Review: "Awesomer and Awesomer" at the Legacy Theatre

Stony Creek - The show is titled “Awesomer and Awesomer”... no pressure, right?

This new work, written by Phoebe Kreutz, is part of The Legacy Theatre’s New Works Series. As it turns out, this musical review is pretty awesome.

“Awesomer and Awesomer” is a very funny and heartfelt musical revue that introduces a variety of women determined to find humor in tough situations. It is from a New York City team, many of whom were a part of the incredible group that brought “Avenue Q” to the stage. This uniquely structured piece takes an honest look at our troubled modern world and then chooses to laugh heartily at it. At the opening performance, the audience caught all of the jokes in the very cleverly written lyrics.

The composer’s most recent album of original songs is entitled “Leaky Canoe” and her musicals include “The Nice List” and “Go Go Gilgamesh.”

As an actor, the show’s director Alan Muraoka has appeared in seven Broadway plays and has portrayed Alan, the proprietor of Hooper’s Store on “Sesame Street” for the past 23 years. I spotted him as he climbed the stairs to the booth at the back of the beautifully remodeled Legacy Theater.

Muraoka describes the creative process for the show in his director’s note. Back in 2010, he and Kreutz decided to put together an evening of the songs that she had been performing in downtown clubs and cafes. She called them ‘joke folk.’” Muraoka was enchanted with the wit, cleverness and poignancy of the musical numbers that became “Awesomer and Awesomer.”

The musical revue ran for the summer at the Triad in New York City and the director recalls that the response was amazing. When the Legacy Theatre learned of the show, Artistic Director Keely Baisden Knudesn asked the production team to revive it for Connecticut audiences. The team has added some material to the show and are so appreciative of the chance to “take another look at a show we are passionate about.”

The 90-minute performance, presented without an intermission, is divided into four parts. The prologue reminds the audience that it's “Rough Out There.” “Part One: Identify the Bummer!” sets the scene with numbers like “Math and Pregnancy,” “Horrible Mood,” and “Ma’am I Am.”
The second part, “See the World!,” explores the globe with “Paris,” “Good Irish Lad” and the reign of “Oh, Elizabeth 1.” “Part Three: Take Care of Your Business!” contains “Taking Myself Out,” “Drunk Dial Song,” and the fun “If God Is A Woman.” The final part, “Find the Fun,” is just for fun, with numbers like “The Taco Bell Song,” “My Favorite Beatle,” and the hysterical “Ballad of Throat Culture,” that describes the trajectory of a rock band. The revue ends with “All Summer Long.”

Gary Adler is the music director for this wonderfully talented cast. He masterfully plays a grand piano on the stage and interacts a bit with the ladies of the cast. Adler music directed “Avenue Q” for its six year run on Broadway and created the music for the children’s show “Johnny and The Sprites” with John Tartaglia and my cousin, puppeteer Tim Lagasse. Billy Bustamante, the co-founder of Broadway Barkada, is the choreographer for the performers, who pull it all off well.

Equity actress Jennifer Barnhart is an actor, singer and voiceover artist who is primarily known for her work as a puppeteer. She also does work as a “human” regionally and in 2019, Barnhart debuted her solo cabaret, “It’s About Time!” at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, directed by Muraoka and music directed by Adler.

Her work as a puppeteer can be seen on season three of Apple TV’s “Helpsters” as Jackie and as Riley on Netflix’s “Julie’s Greenroom" (with Julie Andrews.) It was a real treat for me to see the face of this talented actress in Connecticut, as she sang and danced her way through the numbers, and even played ukulele for one piece.

Equity member Katie Boren was in the original Broadway cast of “Lysistrata Jones,” as well as “Avenue Q” at New World Stages. This actress is a bundle of energy in her numbers.
Emma Green is a New York based actor and singer that is graduate of Ithaca College, She performed in the off-Broadway production of “The Importance of Being Earnestly LGBTQ+” and is a delight to watch onstage.

Katrien Van Riel is an actor, singer and multi-instrumentalist based in New York City who is a Circle in the Square Theatre School alum. For a couple of her solos, Van Riel ably accompanies herself on guitar for “Ballad of Throat Culture,” and has toured nationally with her rock band, where she sang lead vocals and played bass.

Jamie Burnett lights the simple stage nicely and sound design by Nick Morcaldi works on all levels. The set consists of four chairs, as in [title of show], that are moved about the stage as needed.

I loved everything about this new work. Be forewarned that this production is not suitable for children under ten and includes some adult language. Tickets available at legacytheatrect.org/2022-new-works-series or by calling or visiting the box office. Remaining performances are July 23 at 2 and 8pm.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, due to cases of Covid-19, the performances of “Awesomer and Awesomer” scheduled for July 14-16 have been canceled. Ticket holders have been contacted, and if you have not yet exchanged your tickets, please contact the Box Office at your earliest convenience.

We are now offering 2 new exciting opportunities this weekend and the following weekend! Phoebe Kreutz, creator of the musical review, “Awesomer and Awesomer,” will present a solo concert (with some special guest appearances!) July 14-16 in place of the canceled “Awesomer and Awesomer” performances. Phoebe’s concert, “Phoebe Kreutz: Even Awesomer Unplugged,” will feature songs and stories from “Awesomer” and more! We have also rescheduled “Awesomer and Awesomer” for July 23rd, with performances at 2pm and 8pm.

Tickets are on sale now for both “Phoebe Kreutz: Even Awesomer Unplugged,” and the new “Awesomer and Awesomer” dates. Please contact the box office with any questions you may have, or to purchase tickets! legacytheatrect.org/

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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