Review: Armistead Maupin’s TALES OF THE CITY - THE MUSICAL, American Conservatory Theater (Online)
Photo credit: Kevin Berne
Based on the first novel in Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City series, American Conservatory Theatre bring us the recorded version of the fully-staged production captured in 2011.
The story follows secretary Mary Ann Singleton and her impulsive decision to stay in San Francisco, whilst building relationships with other tenants in the building and navigating through the stories of bisexual, heterosexual and gay friends along with the minefield of casual sex. Set in the 1970’sm there is also a marijuana growing landlady.
What this musical does so very well is setting the scene; it is the embodiment of what you imagine the 70’s to have been like. The costumes are authentic and really add to the feel of the production.
Music and lyrics are supplied by Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters and John Garden, and the music has a very Hair–esque feel. It is very catchy, bouncy and lively, with a few ballads also thrown in. It occasionally feels like some of the songs merge into one and are quite similar, but there are a few stand-out songs that are memorable.
‘We Got Crotch’ sung by Mary Birdsong (Mona) is a highlight, possibly because it is brilliantly bizarre! ‘It’s Meant To Be/Love Comes Running’ starts off being sung by Josh Breckenridge (Jon) and Wesley Taylor (Michael) and then develops into an ensemble number, which is powerful and represents all kinds of relationships and sexual orientations.
The lyrics are clever and there are also nods to political themes of the time, with a hilarious song about Richard Nixon.
The cast compiled for the show is phenomenal. There are Broadway stalwarts, Tony nominees and winners, with the matriarch of the piece being Judy Kaye as Anna Madrigal. She offers humour and depth to her often zany yet motherly character and has a beautiful ballad to display why she is such a talent.
The stand-out performer however is Mary Birdsong as Mona Ramsey; she blows everyone else out of the water. She easily has the most difficult song to sing in ‘We Got Crotch’ and she does that with humour and sass, without making it sleazy. She has many difficult points to represent and does so with ease.
Special mention to Josh Breckenridge and Wesley Taylor who play Jon and Michael respectively, and bring an interracial gay relationship to life convincingly in front of our eyes. The scripting of the characters is amazing, but they go above and beyond to make the relationship work.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Emma Littler
Tales of the City, The Musical can be streamed here until 27 June.