Chris Heide
The Cast of Afterwords, A New Musical.
Photo Credit: Tracy Martin
As we are coming out of the acute phases of the pandemic, theatre is making a great revival in Seattle, empathizing the importance or art in the healing of our communities. With its 25th brand new production, the 5th Avenue Theatre successfully reignites the passional and creative spark that fuels locally produced, Broadway quality theatre.
Afterwords is a very strong musical. It tells the story of two separate deaths, and how, through a series of flashbacks, those deaths share a common, fait accompli progression. These interwoven stories provide many unexpected reveals, plot twists, and moments of dramatic tension. It’s a stunning exploration of grief and loss that is sure to resonate with audience members.
In terms of musicality, this is a well-orchestrated book. There are multiple Broadway influences in this musical production, with song stylings ranging from pure pop, to bombastic ballads, to sexually charged duets ala Rent. This is not the typical music which bombards its audience with sleepy ballad after sleepy ballad. It’s a pulsing, pure and progressive show that is accessibility to a diverse array of audience members.
In addition to the extremely dominant and impressive vocal agility of all performers, the silent dancers that haunting existed throughout every number were intriguing. It was almost as if these dancers mimicked the emotion behind each song- a external manifestation of each performer’s souls. This adds a rich layer of artistic genius, not usually seen in straight-forward musicals where all emotional development is verbal.
While it is not a perfect musical, I believe the Afterwords will stand the test of time and become one of the defining musicals of this decade.
About Afterwords from the official press release:
“Afterwords was produced as a musical radio play as part of The 5th Avenue Theatre’s 2020/21 Digital
Season and was workshopped in 2019, following workshops in 2017 and 2018 at Village Theatre.
A breathtaking story about the power of art to heal, Afterwords is a captivating new musical fusing pop,
rock, and modern indie-folk to create a revelatory and soulful new score. Notes scribbled on paper, the
stroke of a paintbrush against a canvas, a growing melody played on the piano... Afterwords is the story
of the art we make from the love that shapes us. Following the sudden loss of their mother, sisters Kali
and Simone find themselves once again living in their childhood home together. When they decide to
rent out the attic, into their lives walks Jo, a war reporter lost in her own grief. As the women share their
stories they discover unexpected truths, helping each other pass through their struggles and a dazzling
mosaic of intersecting lives reveals itself.
”