Theater in NYC: Musical Drama ‘Renascence’ at the Abrons Arts Center
New musical drama about Edna St. Vincent Millay, author of the poem “Renascence”, gloriously staged by the Transport Group to the passionate music by Carmel Dean; at the Abrons Arts Center until November 17, 2018
An inspiring musical performed by talented actors makes an exciting and enlightening debut at a welcoming Off-Off-Broadway Theater at the Abrons Arts Center. The book by Dick Scanlan about Edna St. Vincent Millay and her family is set to the lyrical and touching music score by Carmel Dean. The lyrics by Edna Millay are at the core of the musical convoluting the storyline and elevating its tensions at the same time.
With poetry being at the center at Millay’s family life, sisters and mother included, it brings refreshing vibes for the modern audience. And while the century that separates us from Millay’s time seems to lessen the public’s interest in poetry, the problems facing young poetess and women back then stay unchanged. The play, through its impressive acting and innovating staging, delivers a powerful message about a poetic talent and a young woman path to fame. Enjoy the story, the poetry, and the music!
Edna St. Vincent Millay’s most famous poem Renascence which is in the title of this play, was written in 1912 and was submitted to a popular literary contest. The author had just reached the cut-off age of 19 to meet the submission rules. Notwithstanding her youth and humble upbringings in rural Maine, Millay’s life was full of deep appreciation for poetry and literature thanks to her mother’s dedicated and ultimately self-destructing influence. The scenes of sisterly relationships all in the name of nurturing Vincent’s, as Edna had called herself, insatiable talent are tenderly played by Danny Harris Cornfield as Kathleen, Hannah Corneau as Vincent and Mikaela Bennett as Norma.
“What a climb” to take the words from the chorus line in the musical for a country girl to participate in a national poetry contest. When Renascence the poem was published, it made a splash for its depth and emotional maturity. However, it was not awarded the top prize which was given to a middle-aged man. That caused a minor revolt among the reading public, leading to the prize finally awarded to Millay and her subsequent acceptance to Vassar College. Millay eventually became the first female Pulitzer-winning poet.
The cast which also includes Katie Thompson as the mother, Donald Webber, JR as the father and Jason Gotay as Editor all take on various roles from Vincent’s schoolmates at Vassar to various admirers and supporters of Vincent’s bohemian high life. The dynamic of role-playing is well matched by the diversity of the score with Micaela Bennett jazzy tones coloring the scenes and males actors singing the Vassar girls parts.
The story follows Millay though her college years to New York city where her literary genius acquires some reckless flavors. The usual vices of fame lead to selfishness and insensitivity to her close ones. A scene with her father, destitute and needy, begging for some help is particularly dispiriting.
The spectators are also given a part in the play with ingeniously inserted readings of letters to the editor and relocation to a circular open space in the back of the stage. There, a finale set to the full text of Renascence and lasting more than 10 minutes takes place. And while it takes all the mastery from the cast to bring up the depth of the poem, the final notes ring the bells of happiness and light. Enjoy the acting and the poetry set “to glorious, moody, insistent music” in the words of New York Stage Review.
Venue: Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand St, New York, NY 10002
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