A new musical is playing at Paper Mill Playhouse. Benny & Joon is the adaption to stage of the movie released in 1993. With a book by Kristen Guenther, music by Nolan Gasser, and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, it provides audiences with a fresh look at the story and characters.
Under the direction of Jack Cummings III, this musical stays pretty true to the story told in the movie. However, some scenes just can’t be the same on stage. That’s where a clever set design and unique use of props comes in. The result is a show with an outstanding cast who bring their characters to life through acting and song which gives this musical its own personality. The story is realistic and hopeful. This all adds up to an enchanting experience seeing Benny & Joon the musical.
The Story
Benny & Joon is about a brother and sister who live together in a house where they were raised by their now deceased parents who were tragically killed in a car accident in town. Benny takes great care of Joon who is a diagnosed schizophrenic. When she stays on her meds, things are fairly good. But when she goes off, there are problems.
Benny is very protective of Joon so when Sam enters their home, he keeps a watchful eye over everyone. Sam is a unique character who isn’t very comfortable in the world himself. He and Joon develop feelings for each other much to Benny’s displeasure. At the same time, Benny finds himself attracted to Ruthie, a new arrival in town. But he won’t allow himself to truly enter a relationship with her because of his continued concerns and ties to Joon. The struggle for each person to make changes becomes the focus of the story. The trauma it brings is sad at times to watch. The ending allows all the main characters to enter a new phase of their lives. Hope prevails as there is a realization that life is not perfect, but still must be lived to the best of one’s ability.
Clever Touches Add to Characterizations
The show has a nice pace to it. Major characters are introduced within the first few minutes allowing action to begin immediately. The opening notes of the music have a little fantasy sound to them. As they play, Sam, played by Bryce Pinkham, enters sitting on top of a small train. He indicates that he is coming to Spokane, Washington. Spokane appears on a 3D map that one might see on a close up of a Google Map Satellite View. This entrance gives an immediate sense of his unique personality which is vitally important to both the story and development of the other characters.
Mr. Pinkham gives an outstanding performance as the strange man who continually gives movie quotes to explain things. His clothing shows his devotion to Buster Keaton. He is limber and very comfortable as he skates cleaning the house. He also swings on a rope as he tries to see Joon through a window when she is hosptialized. Sam is one heck of a role to play and Bryce Pinkham is totally up to the task. Theater goers should note that actor Conor Ryan is slated to play this role at some performances. I didn’t get to see him, but some of my friends did and they said he did a marvelous job.
Joon enters the stage with a painting she is working on. As Hannah Elless plays the role, she turns in a performance that vividly shows the many sides of a person with schizophrenia. Singing songs with her gorgeous voice, she shows a Joon who is capable at times. But then, she shows the side of the character who falls apart when too many changes occur too quickly.
A very funny but touching scene occurs when she feels the need to direct cars at a corner in town when the traffic light goes out. This corner happens to be the one where her parents were killed in a car accident. As small cars are pushed by sticks by cast members, she wears a snorkeling mask. So there is some realism but it is softened by the clever use of props to simulate an actual street scene.
When Joon’s brother Benny enters, he prepares to work in the garage/car repair shop that he owns and runs. Claybourne Elder plays Benny and he turns in first class acting and singing in this very difficult part. Benny has so many responsibilities in his life that he is on overload but doesn’t realize it for awhile. He gives an excellent look at the life of caregivers in this show as he forsakes his own enjoyment in life for his sister’s.
The other major character is Ruthie beautifully played by Tatiana Wechsler. Ruthie falls for Benny and wants to have a relationship with him. Her job at the local eating shop allows her to meet Joon and Sam when they stop in for Joon’s favorite dessert, Tapioca. Ruthie’s part is very instrumental in the eventual outcome of the story. She is patient and hopeful that Benny will eventually come and be with her. She also becomes attached to Joon and helps her with a life changing moment.
The set design with its moving walk way is used to give a sense of walking a distance. Lights display on the background map as new locations come into play. Small sized cars are pushed around on long sticks by cast members. Furniture and set pieces move easily on wheels and are put quickly into place by the cast. This allows a new scene to come to life right before your eyes.
Enchanting
In addition to the outstanding cast and clever staging, Benny & Joon is enchanting because of the relationships in the story. There are the two romantic relationships. But the most important one explored is the brother/sister one. That doesn’t happen too often. Benny is always watching out for Joon. She realizes it but eventually, as her feelings for Sam develop, she feels smothered by it. And here is where the music comes in to add great value to what is going on.
The music is traditional show tune style with lyrics that hold a beautiful level of understanding of the human spirit. The title song “Benny and Joon” is a joyous look at that brother/sister relationship. Benny laments losing his parents and the life he now has in a very touching “One Good Day.” The Finale, “This” sings about living life. A bit of realism, with some enchanting moments – that’s Benny & Joon.
In addition to the principal cast players, other actors include Colin Hanlon as Mike, Paolo Montalban as Larry, Natalie Toro as Dr. Cortez/Mrs. Smail, Jacob Keith Watson as Waldo/Video Store Owner and Belinda Allyn.
The production team includes scenic and costume design by Dane Laffrey and lighting design by R. Lee Kennedy. Sound design is by Kai Harada, flying by Foy, movement coordinator Lorenzo Pisoni, and orchestrations by Michael Starobin. The production stage manager is Victoria Navarro. Casting is by Nora Brennan, CSA.
Additional Information
Benny & Joon performs at Paper Mill Playhouse eight times a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Performance schedule: Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday at 1:30pm and 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 1:30pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 1:30pm and 7:00pm.
Purchase tickets by calling 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.PaperMill.org.
Students may order $23-$28 rush tickets over the phone or in person at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office on the day of the performance.
Accessibility Performances
Audio-described performances for Benny & Joon are on Sunday, April 28, 2019, at 1:30pm and Saturday, May 4, 2019, at 1:30pm. Prior to these performances at noon, the theater will offer free sensory seminars. Sensory seminars offer an opportunity for patrons with vision loss to hear a live, in-depth description of the production elements of the show and hands-on interaction with key sets, props, and costumes.
There will be a sign-interpreted and open-captioned performance on Sunday, May 5, 2019, at 7:00pm.
Free Audience Enrichment Activities
The Conversation Club meets on Thursday evenings, April 4, 11, 16, and 25 one hour before curtain for an informal, informative gathering. You’ll learn more about the performance you’re about to see.
Q&A with the Cast is after the matinee on Saturday, May 4. Stick around for a lively Q&A with cast members directly following the performance.