By Charlene Baldridge | SDUN Theatre Critic
In the middle of its second season, San Diego Musical Theatre presents Neil Bartram and Brian Hill’s moving 2006 musical, “The Story of My Life” through February 6 only. Never mind that the piece bombed on Broadway in 2009. Seeing this beautiful production convinces the onlooker that the intimate show was simply too good for Broadway.
Thomas Weaver (Robert J. Townsend) and Alvin Kelby (Chad Borden) met as 10-year-olds. The widowed Mr. Kelby, whom the boys compare to George Bailey in Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life,” ran the small town’s bookstore, The Writer’s Block, where the boys hang out a lot. Alvin, who loves books and is an inveterate storyteller, introduces Thomas to author Mark Twain. Each Christmas, to create and perpetuate their own tradition, the boys make snow angels before watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” on television. The friendship continues through adulthood, with Thomas going off to college and becoming a famous and successful writer in the city, and Alvin, a la George Bailey, taking over the bookstore when his father becomes too ill to work. Thomas returns for Christmas each year.
When the musical opens, it is Christmas. In a few brief words we learn that Alvin is dead. The boys had sworn to write each other’s eulogy, that is, the first to die would write the other’s, and Thomas sets about composing only to discover that he can’t get past the opening lines: “Each year at Christmas we made angels in the snow….”
Over the course of 85 minutes the two grown men relate the story of their 30-year friendship, looping back to stories and the beginnings of stories, and gradually, in patchwork fashion, the audience learns more details. In flashbacks, Thomas struggles to understand why Alvin died and what their friendship meant.
Both performers are emotionally accessible to each other and to the onlookers, as they relate this simple tale of two men who were separated by circumstance and somehow grew apart. Music and book are perfectly integrated. Some mysteries are solved, others remain, and along the way there are many outstanding, gently funny and touching moments. Among the most memorable pieces are “Mrs. Remington” and “The Butterfly.”
Nick DeGruccio sensitively directs these fine performers upon Tom Buderwitz’s set, which consists of idealized outsize book stacks and shelves and the bridge over the town river. Steven Young is lighting designer and Larry Esau sound designer. Music director Don Le Master leads an unseen three-member ensemble comprising himself on piano, Amy Kalal on reeds and Kimberly Bunnell on cello.
Townsend and Borden play and sing exceptionally well together. They co-starred in the recent Havok Theatre Company production of “The Story of My Life,” which was nominated for a Los Angeles Ovation Award. In mid-January Townsend received an Ovation Award for his performance.
An unusual musical and an unusual experience, “The Story of My Life” continues through Feb. 6 at the Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza. Tickets are $30-$60.For reservations, visit sdnt.org or phone (858) 560-5740.u
