*** Recommended The Story of My Life, was a lot like watching a funeral, what with the flower-flanked podium situated in front of an arch, placed exactly in the center of the stage. The rest of the stage is strewn with notebooks and loose sheets of paper. This is a show about a pair of childhood friends who grew up in a small town. One left and one stayed behind. All those sheets of paper contain the stories of their lives together. Although it’s billed as a musical, I’d call The Story of My Life a play with music. It’s both poignant and lyrical. 3 Spotlights
A young man in a suit with a discreet boutonniere, walked up to the podium, started a eulogy to his friend, only to stop abruptly, because he didn’t know what to say. He’s Thomas Weaver (Daniel Rausch), a successful writer, who’s been trying to write a eulogy for his childhood friend, Alvin Kelby (Max Trotter), but he can’t think of anything to say.
Sitting on a table off to the side, Alvin (who is dead) listens to Thomas struggle. Eventually, he gets up, picks up a piece of paper, and hands it to his friend. After Thomas reads that story, Alvin gets him another and then another, until Thomas is able to remember what their friendship meant to him.
The Story of My Life was written by Brian Hill, music and lyrics by Neil Bartram. It had its debut at Toronto’s Canadian Stage Company in 2006. Unfortunately, it didn’t do well in its 2009 opening on Broadway, closing after 19 previews and five performances. The Towle production is directed by Jeff Casey, assisted by Nikki Dizon with Music Direction by Elizabeth Tuazon.
The Story of My Life ran through March 10th at the Towle Theater, 5205 Hohman Avenue, Hammond. Parking is free. Next up at the Towle, The Spider or the Fly? May 3rd through 19th. Tickets are $24. FYI (219) 937-8780 or www.towletheater.org