Milwaukee Chamber Theatre opens its fall season with the Milwaukee premiere of Main-Travelled Roads, a musical based on the stories of a notable Wisconsin author. Hamlin Garland was a Pulitzer Prize-winning author known mainly for his short stories. His book, "Main-Travelled Roads," was published in 1891. That might have been a good book title, but it seems rather ho-hum for a musical. Especially this musical, which bursts with energy, ambition and the satisfaction that comes from hard work.
A number of Garland's short stories were expertly cobbled together by musical collaborators Paul Libman and Dave Hudson to create Main-Travelled Roads. The story is set on a Wisconsin farm near the turn of the century.
The musical's gentle themes are communicated well by its talented cast. Since there are only four actors in the show, each is double- or triple-cast. The two musicians, who play a piano and bass, also must join the cast on occasion. One of the funniest sequences is when one musician, sporting a full moustache, dons a scarf and dress to become a she-devil in the guise of a protective Dutch mother. They may be cheap laughs, but they are genuine, nonetheless.
Main-Travelled Roads shares similarities with the 1943 hit musical, Oklahoma!. These include young lovers who are torn apart by jealousy and pride. There's also a "bad guy" who lurks in the shadows, waiting to entrap the young, marriageable girl. One could easily imagine Oscar & Hammerstein's songs taking this show to dramatic heights. The songs in Main-Travelled Roads are somewhat less polished but are catchy and pleasant-sounding. They range from novelty tunes such as the cleverly choreographed, "Small Town Telegraph," to more evocative songs such as, "A Fine Morning" (which resembles Oklahoma!'s "O, What a Beautiful Morning.")
This musical moves smoothly through its paces, thanks to director Molly Rhode. Once the main couple is established, another couple emerges from the group. This unlikely pair includes the handsome "Creamery Man" and a love-struck Dutch girl who does all she can to win his heart. Nina, the Dutch girl, goes on a hilarious mission to transform herself into a citified "Yankee girl." Her attempts hit their mark, and she starts to attract suitors. Unfortunately, the Creamery Man is not among them. He unwittingly helps her reach her goal, with no clue that he is the prize she seeks. Only a snub from a "real" Yankee girl brings the creamery man back to reality.
As Nina, Clare Arena Haden often takes it over the top. She is almost too cartoonish in her efforts to "win her man." It's evident that Haden has enough talent to scale back a bit and still produce the same effect. Regardless, Nina is a huge hit with the audience.
The self-important Creamery Man is portrayed by Scott Haden (yes, they are related). His fine voice is showcased in the song that announces his appearance at local farms. Nina and the Creamery Man are such an unlikely match that the audience may wonder if they'll ever get together. Since this a traditional musical (happy endings guaranteed), they needn't worry.
Things are even worse for Aggie, and her beau, Will. He leaves the town, and Aggie, far behind. They are separated for so long that Aggie is forced by circumstance to marry another suitor. Complicating matters is the fact they have a two-year-old son. It doesn't seem possible that Aggie and Will could live their dream of a life together. But the determined Will refuses to leave the physically fragile, bedraggled Aggie and her young child.
As Aggie, Jennifer Shine delivers a rich, complex performance. She makes the spunky Aggie the heart of the story. Will is played by Chase Stoeger. He is far more reserved than the exuberant Aggie, but together they make a cute couple Stoeger is thoughtful and studious, even though his forward thinking about agriculture doesn't sit well with the locals. Aggie, of course, believes in Will completely.
As noted previously, the musical is set on a windswept Wisconsin farm. The horizon fairly glows with natural beauty through many dawns and dusks. A display of farm implements indicates the hardscrabble life of these people. A particular feature of this set is a series of roughhewn fences. They keep animals away from the farmhouse and people from each other. The staging is particularly impressive as the actors move easily through the various scenes.
A new musical is always a much-anticipated event, and Main-Travelled Roads certainly delivers a pleasant theater experience.
