Review: GLASS TOWN, The Tank (Online)

Photo credit: Stephanie Bonner

New York-based writer and performer Miriam Pultro has collaborated with The Tank NYC, in association with The Center at West Park, to bring her rock musical to larger audience via their digital platform.

Based on the famous Bronte siblings, Glass Town brings these iconic 19th century literary figures up to date by placing them in a band to deliver a “rock requiem”. Whilst the piece is based more on their personalities and individual characteristics of the siblings as opposed to a strong storyline, this new contemporary vision from Pultro is inspired.

Dubbed as a staged concept album, it is a relatively static piece as you would expect. However, Daniella Caggiano’s direction supports subtle acting choices and blocks varying staging configurations, which keeps it visually engaging as well as musically. The back wall is plastered with book pages and the flooring is Victorian carpeted, which acts as a nice juxtaposition to the edgy, modern dress worn by the protagonists.

Pultro performs in Glass Town as Charlotte Bronte (vocals and keys), along with musical director Katrien Van Riel (vocals and bass), Emma Claye as Anne (vocals) and Eddy Marshall as Branwell (vocals and guitar). They have a lovely camaraderie with one another, sharing encouraging glances and reciprocated smiles; like a good sibling relationship should be. They are also accompanied onstage by three additional musicians: Matt Demaria on drums, keyboard and guitar, Laura Zawarski on violin and Anthime Miller on cello.

There is a lovely balance of spoken word and live music throughout the piece, and it succeeds as a piece of theatre but it is a work-in-progress. The foundation is superb so with time and development, Glass Town will undoubtedly be seen on a larger scale in the near future. Vocally, there is a good blend but the occasionally complex arrangements need to be a little tighter to make it fully cohesive.

The filmic quality of the recording is of a high standard, with a lovely mix of wide and close-up shots. The only questionable aspect would be the extended cuts to a blank screen between each number as this slightly disrupts the flow.

An ambitious, credible new musical with a bright future ahead.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Jenny Ell

Glass Town is available to stream on demand from 22 March-2 April via Cybertank here.