Girl From The North Country

CIBC brings to the stage one of London's highly acclaimed productions, Girl From The North Country, which premiered at the Old Vic Theatre in 2017 and made its Broadway debut at the Belasco Theatre on March 5, 2020. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic forced Broadway theaters to shut down on March 12, 2020. However, after a long hiatus, the show resumed performances on October 13, 2021, at Minneapolis' Historic Orpheum Theatre, owned by Bob Dylan. The story takes place in Duluth, Minnesota, during the winter of 1934, on the shores of Lake Superior, when America was facing the Great Depression—narrated by Dr. Walker, the town's doctor, Girl From The North Country centers around the Laine family, father Nick, wife Elizabeth, son Gene, and their adopted daughter, Marianne. Nick Laine owns a run-down guesthouse that the bank has threatened to foreclose. His wife, Elizabeth, has dementia. However, she appears to have a reasonable grasp when needed to understand what's happening around her. Their son Gene, who was inspired to become a writer of short stories, was unable to get a grip on his life, succumbing to alcohol binges and the loss of his sweetheart, Kate, who tells him she is marrying a man with better prospects. Marianne is five months pregnant and doesn't reveal who fathered the child. Her step-father Nick is trying to arrange a marriage between Marianne and an elderly shoe mender, Mr. Perry, to secure her future, which is interesting because, in the 30s, relationships between blacks and whites were forbidden via The Racial Integrity Act of 1924, which prohibited interracial marriage. Nick has become involved in a relationship with a guest house resident, Mrs. Neilsen, a widow waiting for her late husband's will to clear probate, which she and Nick will use to purchase another boarding location.

Also staying at the house are a family, the Burkes. Mr. Burke lost his business in the stock market crash. His wife, Laura, and son, Elias, share a room upstairs. Elias has a learning disability, and the family struggles to come to terms with financial burdens. The other guests include a charlatan posing as a reverend selling bible salesman, Marlowe, and a down-on-his-luck boxer, Joe Scott, who arrive looking for shelter. Girl From The North Country has the best singing from a national touring cast I have heard since reviewing theatrical plays. Their singing and harmony were outstanding and worth the ticket price alone. Still, the acting in this production is superb. The storylines, which focused on several actors, enchantingly woven together like mimi scripts that blended into one excellent narrative, were brilliantly brought to life on stage with such a feeling of nostalgia that transported you back to the Great Depression. Although some may speculate that Marianne or Elizabeth is the protagonist, the girl from the North Country, the play never reveals this information, which may weaken the storyline to some. However, I beg to differ. The characters in this production are so exceptional that anyone could be the girl, and the play would still be worth seeing. Then there is the question of it being a jukebox musical, which uses pre-recorded popular songs instead of original music, which has some truth. However, the songs in the play are from Bob Dylan, which spectacularly relates to the musical.

Some have been critical that the play doesn't have Dylan's greatest hits songs in the production, but the play was centered around songs he chose for Girl From The Country and were perfect. And who doesn't love the music of Bob Dylan? The play features 20+ songs by his troubadour, who has delighted audiences with his unforgettable songs for over 60 years. The script by Irish playwright, screenwriter, and director Conor McPherson, who received an honorary doctorate of literature from the University College Dublin, allows this musical to breathe with a treasure trove of acting roles, where every character has a memorable role. The 22-member touring cast features John Sciappa, an outstanding performance by Jennifer Blood, Ben Biggers, and Sharaé Moultrie as the Laine family, with the remaining cast of David Benoit, Matt Manuel, Jay Russell, Chira Trentalange, Jill Van Velzer, Jeremy Webb, Aidan Wharton, Carla Woods, and narrated by Alan Ariano.

Having an opening on Valentine's Day is risky, as lovers seek a night of romance, and this play is more like a modern-day Greek tragedy. Still, it's one of the most memorable and incredible stories about the great depression that will touch your soul.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

CIBC Theatre

Girl From The North Country

Written and Directed by Conor McPherson

Music & Lyrics by Bob Dylan

February 13 - February 25, 2024

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