An American Tail - A New Musical at the Children's Theatre Company

 In 1986 /1987 a charming animated film came out named An American Tail. It told the story of Fievel, a Russian mouse who gets lost while immigrating to the US with his parents and sister. The film was directed by Don Bluth, and it featured the song "Somewhere Out There." This song ended up winning a few Grammy awards, and is included (along with some of the films other songs) in a brand new musical playing at the Children's Theatre Company. 

I only saw the film once and was vaguely aware of the story. I went with a friend, who is Jewish, and who also loves the film. I bring this up because many parts of the Jewish immigrant experience shown on stage struck chords with my friend. We both really enjoyed the show. From the opening few lines in Hebrew, to the closing number it was a really great show. As with the other CTC shows I have seen, the production values were amazing. The stage looks like the side of a suitcase when you walk in. The suitcase has a circular door with the name "Mousekewitz" written on it in Hebrew. We are in the world of mice, with everything on stage sized to how it would be if we, the audience, were also mice. The door opens and we see the Mousekewitz family gathered around the menorah, saying a prayer for Hanukkah. The prayer ends, the side of the suitcase rises and we see the whole mouse community there, celebrating Hanukkah. What a great way to start a show! The joy and music, and seeing the full cast in great costumes, and mouse ears was just a great introduction to the world of Fievel.

The Mousekewitz's live in 1885 Russia, in the house of the human family, the Moskowitz's.  The night of Hanukkah the Cossacks (and therefore the Catsocks) come and destroy the village, forcing the Russian Jews (and their mice) to leave. Fievel, Pappa, Mama, and Tanya start the journey to America. It is a rough journey and during it, Fievel gets swept overboard out to sea. The rest of the family arrive in New York City and find a room in a tenement. Fievel eventually floats to shore inside a bottle and is discovered by a seagull named Henri. Henri befriends him, and takes him into New York City where Fievel starts looking for his family. The story continues and if you know it, you know how it goes. If you don't, you should make your way to the Children's Theatre and find out. 

The cast through out is fantastic! Fievel (played by Mathew Woody) has a great energy, and an natural feel on stage, as well as having a great singing voice! Pappa (Luverne Seifert) and Mama (Becca Hart) also play secondary lead characters and are really good at each. I'm not sure the reason behind the double casting, but both actors are up for the challenge of quick changes, and it is a joy to watch them in both parts. Tanya (Lillian Hochman) is a great counterpoint for Fievel - a bit older, clearly a care-giver, a big sister, AND she can sing! The duet "Somewhere Out There" between Fievel and Tanya was gorgeous and moving! The secondary leads (in my mind) are Tony (Ryan London Levin) and Bridget (Kiko Laureano). Their chemistry and physical actions were exactly what was needed. They add some levity and romance (and politics) to the show and are a joy to watch. The full ensemble was amazing in all the roles they played - from street mice, to orphans, to cockroaches and cats. So good!

Besides the amazing set, costumes, and make-up (and cats...such a great way to show cats without being too scary), the music, lyrics, and book are very well written. The music by Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler fit the time period of the 1880's, as well as adding an ethnic feel when needed. It is an immigrant story at heart so there were hints of Italian and Irish music as well as Jewish feel. The lyrics by the composers and the book writer (Itamar Moses, the writer of the Tony award winning "The Band's Visit") fit the music perfectly, and really helped tell the story, while also showing us more of who these characters are. It is an interesting show to try to sell as while it is a children's story and film, some of the themes might be a bit difficult for some children to really understand. Towards the end of the show there is a quite a bit of talk about the class system, unions, and immigration. While this is one aspect that I love about the Children's Theatre (education through art), at times it didn't seem to hold the attention of some of the younger kids around me. That being said, it was still a wonderful experience, and a great show! I have high hopes that this will eventually work it's way to New York. 

photos: Glen Stubbe Photography