Review: GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY, North American Tour

Photo credit: Evan Zimmerman

Girl From The North Country is a Tony Award Winning musical that is currently in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as part of its North American Tour. The show has won critical acclaim, especially for its orchestration and acting. Conor McPherson was nominated for several awards for the book but the star of the show is Bob Dylan’s music. Dylan has proved to be such a masterful lyricist that his music can be stark yet full of depth, soulful yet restless or compelling and introspective. While this is based on the music of one artist, it isn’t a jukebox musical. There is very little dancing or pizzazz but there is amazing music, haunting lyrics and a very talented cast.

Girl From The North Country is set in Great Depression era Minnesota and there is a starkness that can be interpreted as just plain depressing. For the most part the characters lack depth because they lack cohesive story lines that help the audience to empathize with them. The audience becomes fatigued while watching each actor singularly trying to carry the blundering plot forward. The most common comment I heard during the intermission was “what is the plot” or “what is the point” whispered with sincere confusion. However, upon more reflection I think the point is that Bob Dylan’s lyrics are so transcendent that they could fit into just about anybody’s life with a little effort. This is why some songs only have a line or two intertwined into the show’s music. The sense of longing and yearning for a sense of belonging and being loved is what weaves the characters together and the love of Dylan is what draws the audience. This musical is definitely intended for an audience that can hear the prose of Dylan’s lyrics and find pieces of themselves.

Girl From The North Country features a brilliant cast that truly bring their own unique voices to many well-known Bob Dylan classics. The story takes place in the boarding house owned by Nick Laine (played by John Schiappa) who is deeply troubled but trying his best to take care of those he loves. His wife (Elizabeth Laine) is played by Jennifer Blood who has a fantastic voice but has a take on dementia that unfortunately came across as harsh and somewhat cartoonish. The cast that stood out the most are Sharaé Moultrie (who plays a gentle yet firm Marianne Laine), Matt Manuel (who played ex-convict Joe Scott with gentleness and earnest) and David Benoit (Mr. Burke) with Jill Van Velzer (Mrs. Burke) who in addition to acting and singing, also played the drums. In fact, many of the musicans were integrated into the cast which is always fun to watch as they become part of the scenery.

Girl From The North Country is really unique because of the set and costumes designed by Rae Smith. Nothing in Duluth, Minnesota is fancy. The Great Depression and the years after amplified feelings of loneliness, powerlessness, injustice and uncertainty which is effectual from the stage as backwall projections emphasize the contrast between light and dark, or hopefulness and hopelessness. The costumes don’t tell much about the characters but they are appropriate for the time and help the actors to blend into the desolate background.

Girl From The North Country is only here in Philadelphia for about two weeks before advancing on the North American Tour, so buy your tickets for this fantastic show whenever it will be near you.

Raw and nostalgic

**** Four Stars

Reviewed by Jamie Flowers