What is it really like to be a performer in musical theatre? What really happens backstage? What do the cast members really think of each other and think of their audience? Well, if you would like to know the answers to these important burning questions and would like them set to fun, catchy show tunes, then look no further then Alexander S. Bermanges ‘I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical’, playing at Gilded Balloon at the Museum.
This production is a deep dive into the world of musical theatre, where the audience are invited to explore the ins and outs of it all from both the viewpoint of the performer and the fan. The four person cast, Sev Keoshgerian, Julie Yammanee, Luke Harley and Jessi O’Donnell play a range of different characters, from drama school graduates going to their first audition, the dreaded diva, musical superfans, and the understudy just dreaming for his big chance. Each song is performed as a separate sketch, with brief introductions from cast members throughout and in each few minutes for each number, you find yourself drawn into their stories, cursing the diva causing trouble for her co-stars, laughing at the leading couple who cannot actually stand each other and willing them on through that final big all singing all dancing encore at the end of the night when they really just want to get to the end.
In this truly ensemble piece, with their simple staging of a costume rake and few cubes that double as prop storage, each member is given the change to shine individually as they step out of the group for their big solo numbers. O’Donnell’s take on the title number is full of charm and hopes for a dream life whilst Yammanee has the audience in stitches as the star casting who can’t quite hit the right note and a young auditionee just trying to get the panel to pay attention to her. Harley’s performance as a drama student fighting with a temperamental piano at at an agent showcase is hilarious and alongside Yammanee and Keoshgerian the ‘I just love musicals’ is a showstopper as they play secret musical lovers trying to both hide and celebrate their love of the art. Keoshgerian’s early on performance as a hypochondriac who always has a perfect excuse for a less than perfect performance instantly has the audience on his side with his song about being the understudy to the star name, knowing that people will be disappointed to see him really pulls at the heart strings.
Anyone who loves musicals will find something in this show that relates to them. This is actually my second time seeing this show after first seeing it last year at the fringe and it’s the same number that jumps out to me now that did then. And that number is ‘Super Fan’. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am a super fan, the girl who runs a mischief theatre fan account and has seen ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ more than thirty times, who can list facts, figures and interesting information whilst buzzing with excitement at the idea of seeing an understudy perform. That’s me. So yes, this song applies to me and I laugh my way through it with delight.
This clever 70 minute musical celebrates everything musical, and will have the audience in fits of laughter. From a song about backstage drama with the diva, eating the smelliest foods to mess with the co star you don’t like, moaning about the questionable behaviour of the audience members and declaring ‘You can’t leave the stage without an encore’ complete with top hats, canes and sparkling gold jackets, it’s toe-tapping, believable and wickedly funny. A crowd pleasing hit that will have you grinning from ear to ear.
After their run at the Edinburgh Fringe, you can catch ‘I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical’ at the Corn Exchange Newbury, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and Theatre Royal Winchester.
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