Review: Amour (Black Button Eyes Productions)

A charming production of love and whimsy

Review by Mark Davidson

Adapted from the short story "Le Passe-Muraille" by Marcel Ayme, this Tony Award-nominated musical is a Chicago premiere. And with Amour , Black Button Eyes Productions has lovingly brought our city a winning production.

The central character in Amour is Dusoleil (Brian Fimoff), a bashful office clerk in Paris, shortly after World War II. He fancies Isabelle (Emily Goldberg), the beautiful wife of the town Prosecutor (a strict control freak who spends his free time indulging in S&M antics with the town whore). One night, Dusoleil comes home from work and drops his key in front of his door. While stumbling around in search of the key, he accidentally discovers he can somehow walk through walls. This condition befuddles both Dusoleil and his flamboyantly drunken doctor (Matt McNabb), who prescribes him some pills and sends him on his way. When a new boss (Kevin Webb) takes over the office where Dusoleil works, the clerk uses his miraculous power to terrify the boss into hysterical panic, leading him to be committed. Inspired, Dusoleil begins seeking ways to use his new power to conversely bring joy to the citizens, including the enamored Isabelle, becoming a local Robin Hood sort of legend (christened "Passepartout" by the people). Confounding matters, two past coworkers Madeleine and Claire (Mikaela Sullivanand Missy Wise), hilariously declare their newfound love (lust?) for the former clerk. Along the way the audience is presented with stunning revelations and an unexpectedly poignant conclusion.

Fimoff is charming as Dusoleil, as is Goldberg's portrayal of Isabelle. Most of the other cast members play multiple roles, showing great versatility and range. Greg Zawada is noticeably sinister as the corrupt Prosecutor, while Wise gives a deft comic turn in her dual roles as the Whore and Claire. Tommy Thurston provides able support as the Painter. Webb is amusingly nasty as the mean Boss who gets his comeuppance (and a trip to the funny farm). While the entire cast are vocally strong with excellent diction, the best singing comes from Sullivan as Madeleine, Scott Gryder as the News Vendor (and the comically cowardly Lawyer), and McNabb as the Doctor and the President of the Tribunal. Indeed, McNabb's performance is the most outstanding of all, displaying a magnetic presence every moment he is on stage.

Director Ed Rutherford keeps the pace lively, greatly aided by the choreography of Derek Van Barham and the orchestra led by The effect of Dusoleil walking through walls is simply but effectively emphasized by the lighting design of Chazz Malott. The music by Michel Legrand is engaging and enjoyable, with humorous and slightly risqué lyrics by Jeremy Sams (adapted from the original French libretto by Didier Van Cauwelaert).

There is one misgiving, however, for an otherwise 4-star production - while the performance of the lead actor is good overall, there are various points where Fimoff's vocal projection is weak. This made certain lyrics hard or impossible to understand. The problem occurs intermittently; not enough to seriously mar the show, but still just frequent enough to be somewhat distracting.

continues through October 8th at Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport (map), with performances Thursdays-Saturdays 7:30pm, Sundays 2pm. Tickets are $32 (students: $17), and are available by phone (773-935-6875) or online through OvationTix.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com ). More information at AmourChicago.com.

behind the scenes

Ed Rutherford (director), (music director), Derek Van Barham (movement director, choreographer), Michael Lewis (scenic design), Beth Laske-Miller (costume design), Chazz Malott (lighting design), Robert Hornbostel (sound design), Rachelle "Rocky" Kolecke (props design), Michael Sanow (technical director), Lexi Berkowitz (stage manager), Ashleigh Long (poster, graphic design), Kate Merena (marketing director), (photos)

Tags: 16-0907, Ashleigh Long, Athenaeum Theatre, Beth Laske-Miller, Black Button Eyes Productions, Brian Fimoff, Chazz Malott, Chicago Theater, Cole Simon, Derek Van Barham, Didier van Cauwelaert, Ed Rutherford, Emily Goldberg, Greg Zawada, Jeremy Sams, Kate Merena, Kevin Webb, Le Passe-Muraille, Lexi Berkowitz, Marcel Aymé, Mark Davidson, Matt McNabb, Melissa Reinertson, Michael Lewis, Michael Sanow, Michel Legrand, Mikaela Sullivan, Missy Wise, Nick Sula, Paul G. Miller, post, Rachelle "Rocky" Kolecke, Robert Hornbostel, Ryan Lanning, Scott Gryder, Tommy Thurston

Category: 2016 Reviews, Athenauem, Black Button Eyes Productions, Mark Davidson, Musical