return to Entertainment > Theatre

Sep 2011  |  By Marjie Killeen  |  Comments

“Wicked” Composer's Work Stars in “Snapshots”

Northlight’s new show offers familiar show tunes in a fresh format, gorgeously arranged and performed by a gifted cast.

However, if you’re looking for a compelling tale to sink your teeth into, “Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook” probably isn’t the show for you.

The show is based on the work of the legendary Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz, featuring songs from his hit musicals “Godspell,” “Pippin!,” and “Wicked.”

Sue and Dan are struggling to find meaning in a marriage that has grown strained and passionless since their son left for college.  Set in the couple’s attic, Sue (Susie McMonagle) and Dan (Gene Weygandt) stumble on photographs and forgotten junk that trigger memories of their past.

Aided by two versions of their former selves—childhood pals Susie and Danny (Megan Long and Nick Cosgrove) and lovers Susan and Daniel (Jess Godwin and Tony Clarno)—the couple explores critical points of their relationship through reinterpretations and clever mash-ups of Schwartz’s extensive song catalogue. Experienced theatergoers will love recognizing the tunes from their original shows, with the lyrics cleverly revised, such as an entertaining coupling of “Popular” from “Wicked” with “Time to Start Living” from “Pippin.”

The music is such a knockout, the storyline feels slight by comparison. It’s a tale of a marriage gone stale with time—not because anything went wrong, really—just distance and disappointments. While that might be a realistic portrayal of the challenges of a 20-year-old empty nester marriage, it doesn’t make for great dramatic material, and certainly doesn’t live up to Schwartz’s vibrant music, not to mention the vocal and acting chops demonstrated by the cast.

I’ve been married for 20 years and my son will soon head off to college, so maybe I’m too close to the material, but the ending left me frustrated. Come on! Surely there’s more excitement awaiting this couple. Especially given the passion and energy demonstrated by their vibrant younger selves.

If you accept that the point of this show is really the fantastic songs and not the story, you’ll find “Snapshots” a gratifying experience.

“Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook” plays through October 23 at Northlight Theatre in the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. For tickets, visit northlight.org or call 847-673-6300.