Review: 'A Man of No Importance' by Phoenix Stage Company at Clockwork

Oakville, CT - Phoenix Stage Company at Clockwork presents the musical ‘A Man of No Importance’ through Sept. 5 on their stage in Oakville. The little-known musical is based upon a film of the same name. The show was written by the same team that brought us both ‘Ragtime’ and ‘Seussical.’ The book is by Terrence McNally, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty. This tender piece is on a smaller scale perhaps, but there were moments in the music that echoed ‘Ragtime’ and some gentle humor that made this a memorable production.

Donna Storms directed the talented cast while Maurice Steinberg did well as music director and conductor of the five-piece orchestra that sat on the corner of the stage and was perfectly suited for the space.

‘A Man of No Importance’ tells the story of an amateur theatre group in 1963 Dublin and their leader, a bus conductor named Alfie Byrne, who is determined to stage an amateur theatrical production of ‘Salome’ at his church, despite the objections of church authorities. More to the point it tells the important story of a closeted homosexual as he struggles with temptation and friendships in the early sixties in staunchly Catholic Ireland, when pious groups called sodalities worked hard to maintain traditional ways.

PSC founder and managing director Ed Bassett stars as Alfie, a role that is close to his heart. He sang the songs of Alfie, “Love’s Never Lost,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Love Who You Love,” and the final “Welcome to the World” with a gentle tenor voice and gave a heartfelt performance as this unassuming character. Some audience members were brought to tears by the end of the second act by his work onstage.

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It was wonderful to see the PSC “Going Up!” with a musical production in the new home that they have been in for over year. For some reason it made me miss them being in Naugatuck even more.
The collaborative production of ‘Loose Ends’ with Backyard Theatre Ensemble has been pulled from their schedule. Next up will be ‘The Mystery of Irma Vep’ opening on October 8. Try to catch a performance of ‘A Man of No Importance’ before it closes next weekend.

Nancy Sasso Janis is an OnStage Connecticut Critic and the newest member of the Connecticut Critics Circle.