MAX UNDERSTOOD: Musical Drama. Book by Nancy Carlin. Music by Michael Rasbury. Lyrics by Nancy Carlin & Michael Rasbury. Directed by David Schweizer. The Paul Dresher Ensemble, in co-production with Fort Mason Center @ Fort Mason Center, Cowell Theater , San Francisco.
April 15 – April 26, 2015 Max Understood explores Autism in musical drama [rating:2]
Theatre functions on many levels other than to entertain. At times it is designed to forward social and political agenda (agitprop) and often to dramatize medical/psychological disabilities. Three striking examples of the latter include Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart and Tony Kushner’s Angels in America (HIV), the musical Next to Normal by Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt (Bipolar Disease) and most recently The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Simon Stephens’ adaptation of the novel with the same name (Asperger’s Disease).
The classification of Asperger’s disease has been removed from our medical lexicon and it is now listed as a degree of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) that now affects one in 68 individuals. To disseminate knowledge and unify research/treatment, April has been designated as ASD Awareness month and Max Understood is the latest “disability drama” with the major character a seven year old autistic boy named Max (Jonah Broscow).
The concept for this musical play had its beginning seven years ago and has had three workshop productions including a re-tooling at the Eugene O’Neill National Music Theater Conference in 2008 and an Off-Broadway outing in 2009. The present production is labelled as its world premiere co-produced by the Paul Dresher Ensemble, Fort Mason Center and the Behavioral Intervention for Autism group. Coinciding with this two week run is an installation of “Sound Maze for Max” at an adjacent venue.
Three of the major symptoms of autism are non-verbal relationship with people, repetitive physical activity and peculiar toy habits. These signs of ASD are dramatically, non-verbally portrayed in the opening scenes with Max standing against a white wall with his favorite toy, a Pegasus doll, performing continuous hand motions before his frustrating lack of interaction with his Mom (Elisa Youssef) and Dad (Teddy Spencer) are conveyed in song.
After these initial forays into characterization of the family unit, he leaves the protective mantle of home/family and Max’s foray into the outside world begins. First up are a group of unfriendly children before he is rescued by Munc (Jackson Davis) a working class gardener/philosopher with a leaf-blower. Munc’s introduction on the stage is a highlight of spectacular use of projections, lights and sound.
The play is handsomely mounted with a rotating steeply raked geometric elevated central stage used effectively for the scene changes that are taking place in actual time and in the phantasy of Max’s mind.
Pictured (l to r) Hayley Lovgren and Jonah Broscow; Max helps Pegasus hang out the laundry and fly. Photo: Mark Palmer
Two of those phantasies include a live Pegasus and a mermaid, both bathed in beautifully orchestrated light and music. All the action is interspersed with Mom and Dad circling the revolving platform searching for Max who is unable to respond to their calls and his non-verbal the interaction with the outside world continues.
The eleven year old fifth grader Jonah Broscow has a show stopper with his recitation of all the U.S. Presidents during his foray with the dumpster diving Albert (Jeremy Kahn) who nails the rap song “Rushed Up” with a projection of Mount Rushmore on center stage.
Pictured (l to r) Teddy Spencer, Hayley Lovgren, Jonah Broscow, Jeremy Kahn, Elise Youssef, Alyssa Rhoney; Abercrombie models/Presidents of the US get “Rushed Up” Photo: Mark Palmer
With the exception of the two mentioned songs the eclectic music is non-memorable but the actors put their hearts into their roles and the direction by David Schweizer is admirable. Running time is 75 minutes without intermission.
CAST: Elise Youssef as Mom, Teddy Spencer as Dad, Jonah Broscow as Max, with Jeremy Kahn as Albert, Alyssa Rhoney as Fin, Jackson Davis as Munc and Hayley Lovgren as Peg.
CREATIVE STAFF: Direction by David Schweizer; Music director Jennifer Reason; Scenic design by Alexander V. Nichols; Lighting design by David Robertson; Projection design by Alexander V. Nichols and Micah J. Stieglitz; Costume design by Beaver Bauer and Deborah M. Bauer; Choreography by Mary Beth Cavanaugh; Sound design by The Norman Conquest; Stage management Kevin Johnson.
Kedar K. Adour, MD
Courtesy of www.theatreworldinternetmagazine.com.
Pictured (l to r) Hayley Lovgren and Jonah Broscow; Max helps Pegasus hang out the laundry and fly. Photo: Mark Palmer
Pictured (l to r) Teddy Spencer, Hayley Lovgren, Jonah Broscow, Jeremy Kahn, Elise Youssef, Alyssa Rhoney; Abercrombie models/Presidents of the US get “Rushed Up” Photo: Mark Palmer
