By Marilyn Jozwik
Death can be funny. And heart-warming. And, of course, a time for introspection.
At least that’s what death is in the RIP Productions delightful play “RIP A Musical Comedy of Life & Death” by local playwright Robert Grede. The show is being presented at Next Act Theatre. Alan Piotrowicz directs.
Rarely does a musical feature so many dead characters – five to be exact – the same as the number of live folks. At the beginning, at least. That five-to-five ratio changes to six and four later on.
There are all sorts of discussions about life after death, commentary on the funeral business, discussions about work and relationships, all woven into a clever story with hummable tunes.
The show also features perhaps every funeral/death pun/joke in the book, which is maybe a bit overdone. Those moments often brought the prerequisite groans from the audience.
Nonetheless, Grede has created some unique characters and an enjoyable story to go along with some very lovely tunes (16 in all) beautifully sung by the cast and backed up by a full-sounding four-piece orchestra directed by Jessi Kolberg on keyboards. Choreographer Ami Majeskie makes great use of the small stage with lots of clever upper body movements, all crisply executed. “Doing the Zombie Dance,” which opens Act 2, is a particularly catchy, beat-heavy tune and lively, fun dance by the five dead people led by Chrissie, who proclaims, “I don’t want to be a zombie, doing the zombie dance.”
The story opens at the aptly named McCobb Mortuary, where four recently deceased – two older, two younger – sing about what they had to live for and hoping they could have their lives back. Dead people never sounded so good.
Throughout the show, we learn all about the departed and how they died: Emily (Taylor Miñan), a young mother; John Doe (Cory J. O’Donnell), a young man involved in a robbery who can’t be identified; an older woman, Doris (Stephanie Beschta), whose “mind has gone to mush”; and an older man, Robert “RJ” (Tom Marks), who celebrates his hedonistic lifestyle. Later, Chrissie (Krista Rose), a young female drug addict, joins the dead.
We meet funeral director George McCobb’s awkward trainee, Vic (Ethan Smith), and then McCobb (Shayne Patrick) himself. Vic sings about his failed marriage caused partly by his long work hours and occupational hazard of being surrounded by formaldehyde. “She left me for someone who didn’t smell bad,” he sings. Later, he bemoans his lot in “Dead End Job.”
McCobb describes in song how his father taught him the business and how he carries on his ruthless tradition in the tough training of his protégé. The insincere McCobb intones all the expected cliches to the bereaved. When they leave, he celebrates the tidy sum he’ll make with joyous remarks of “Ka-ching,” and a matching gesture.
Stephanie Beschta (Doris), Krista Rose (Chrissie), Taylor Miñan (Emily), Cory J. O’Donnell (John Doe), and Tom Marks (RJ). rehearse a scene from RIP Productions “RIP A Musical Comedy of Life & Death.” Photo by Stacy Kaat Photography
We also meet McCobb’s socialite wife, Margaret (also played by Beschta), and a young upstart, Gina (also played by Rose), who is hoping to get a job at the funeral home.
The audience also gets to know all the deceased in song, dance and dialogue, especially the young Emily, whose sister, Julia (Elisebeth Sparks), wrestles with that loss and a mother in hospice care. The scene when Julia sees her sister Emily for the last time in the singing of “One More Day” is perhaps the most moving in the show.
You couldn’t have drawn up a more perfect funeral director than the tall, thin, straight as a reed Shayne Patrick. His slick black hair seems painted on, giving him an even more severe look to match his impassive, dour persona. And his voice, low and perfectly modulated, fits his creepy character to a T. I think even Vincent Price would be jealous. Patrick is truly a commanding presence.
As mortician trainee Vic, Smith is totally likeable as he fumbles his way through the funeral business, gradually finding his calling … and love along the way. As he says, “We are the loved ones’ portal to the next world.”
I really enjoyed the quintet of deceased – Miñan, O’Donnell, Beschta, Marks and Rose – and their interactions, as well as their wonderful song and dance performances that do justice to the clever lyrics and pleasing arrangements. Miñan, Beschta and Rose especially provide some lovely harmonies on tunes like “Eton Ridge.” Beschta and Rose also seamlessly transition from dead characters (Doris and Chrissie) to living ones (Margaret and Gina), providing distinct characterizations for each.
I loved Nicki Heininger’s choice of costumes for the deceased. Rather than the expected riffs on black, she went with lavender outfits – from suits to shoes. A very eye-appealing visual.
On opening night, one character’s line bobbles, even during a tune, were quite noticeable, but did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the show. Most likely that will be cleaned up in subsequent performances.
Nonetheless, “RIP A Musical Comedy of Life & Death” is a wonderful twist on the fairy tale adage. According to Chrissie in the show: “Everyone died happily ever after.”
If you go
Who: RIP Productions
What: “RIP A Musical Comedy of Life & Death”
When: Through July 28
Where: Next Act Theatre, 255 S. Water St., Milwaukee
Info/Tickets: 414-278-0765; nextact.org