By Sandi Masori in San Diego
There is a growing trend to turn movies that have done well into musicals. Usually this results in a familiar story with mediocre music that fills theaters because of its known IP. Often it works only because of the already popular narrative, letting the familiarity with the story do all the work. Sometimes they get famous singers or bands to write the music, often with disappointing results.
I am happy to say that that is NOT the case with Begin Again currently premiering at The Old Globe. Based on John Carney’s 2013 movie, starring Keira Knightly and the divisive alleged “anti- Zionist” Mark Ruffalo.
This version features a brand-new soundtrack by Pat Monahan and the band Train. And it’s good, really good, actually.
Set in New York City, the story focuses on two characters: washed up music exec Dan (Patrick Heusinger) who has begun to lose hope both in the business and life. He fears he will never find a true talent again. C0-starring is young songwriter Gretta (Emma Busse), whose sexy singer boyfriend Max (Kevin William Paul) betrays her after she gifts him a song she wrote.
Her best friend Stevie (Casey Whyland) drags her to an open mic night, where she reluctantly gets up to sing. Dan hears her song and gets excited to hear a true talent and tries to talk her into recording a demo. Eventually she reluctantly agrees, but with no budget and no studio, recording doesn’t seem very likely. Stevie, who is an analog engineer comes up with the idea of recording outside and using the sounds and rhythm of the city as a part of the soundtrack.
The sets are amazing. Scenic designer Derek McLane outdid himself with creative see-through buildings that get moved around the stage, with projections becoming various landmarks, like Times Square, or the Brooklyn Bridge, for example. The effect is mesmerizing.
The actors, of course, are all seasoned equity actors, and it shows. While all of them were incredible, Whyland and Heusinger especially shine.
There are some really fun magic effects baked into the choreography by choreographer David Neumann and director Lorin Latarro.
Bottom line, it’s a feel-good show worth seeing, fun for the whole family. Even people who don’t usually like musicals reported enjoying this one. You will leave with a smile and maybe just a little more hope.
Begin Again plays through October 18.
*
Associate editor Sandi Masori is a theater and food reviewer for San Diego Jewish World