Welcome to The Big Dipper – A Contemporary Fable
This dense, socially and politically informed musical features sensitive, well written relationships, admirably specific, if wordy lyrics, and companionable, though unmemorable music. It’s worthy, but a lot to take in.
The historical Big Dipper Inn in Bigelow, New York just south of Niagara Falls, has been owned by widow Joan Wilkes’ family (Debra Walton) for decades. A former singer, Joan lost her husband in a car crash. She, son Dez (Christian Magby), and the inn’s single (lifetime) guest Mr. Snapper (tonight Darius Harper, who unfortunately plays his solo to the audience), survived – after which Joan took over the inn.
Jillian Louis, Mia Pinero, Robert Cuccioli, Pablo Torres, Darius Harper, Jayae Riley, Jr., Michael Yeshion
At present, she’s regretfully on the cusp of selling The Dipper in order to pay off debt and send Dez to college. Aggressive closer Bonnie Haskins (Jennifer Bryne) buzzes around like a mosquito pressing for a signature on the contract.
A ferocious blizzard forces Joan to house a busload of passengers stranded on their way to Canada. These include: transsexual Carly (Jayae Riley, Jr.) and three transvestites – Jacky/Jake Barnes (Michael Yeshion), Larry/Latrice (Darius Harper), and Arnold/Vanessa (Pablo Torres) – on their way to a talent contest. (Would someone please explain to me their worship of artist Freda Kahlo?) And five Amish: strict, widowed father Amos King (Robert Cuccioli), his daughter Rebecca (Mia Pinero), her Amish suitor Eli (Pablo Torres), and two women (we don’t need two), Sarah (Jillian Louis) and Abigail (Jennifer Bryne). .
Michael Yeshion (Jacky), Debra Walton (Joan Wilkes), Amos King (Robert Cuccioli)
To the story’s credit, issues of incomprehension and prejudice don’t pit the two vastly different groups against one another, but arise within each separately. Carly hopes against hope for a future with the confused Jacky. Rebecca wants to break out, see the world and decide who she is. Amos needs to let go and move on. It all makes sense, yet none of it affects more than in passing because there’s so much.
Debra Walton (Joan) plays believably fraught. Christian Magby’s Dez Wilkes is refreshingly open; Michael Yeshion’s Jacky credibly frightened and confused. Robert Cuccioli contributes familiar solemnity (he excels at this) and resonant vocal. Mia Pinero (Rebecca) has a lovely voice and projects innocence. Jayae Riley, Jr. (Carly) is well grounded and appealing.
Mia Pinero (Rebecca King), Christian Magby (Dez Wilkes)
Direction by DeMone Seraphin is is a mixed bag. Two-handers work well. Doors on wheels are effectively employed in some numbers while fostering chaos in others. Minor characters, like Jillian Louis’ reporter, are nicely defined, but neither the transvestites nor the Amish have individual characteristics.
Choreography (Ashley Marinelli) is particularly inventive during representation of Annie Edson Taylor’s tumbling down the falls (the 1901 event in which she rode inside a barrel).
Christian Magby, Mia Pinero, Jillian Louis, Robert Cuccioli, Darius Harper (in rear), Debra Walton (in rear), Pablo Torres, Michael Yeshion, Jayae Riley, Jr., Jennifer Byrne
Scenic/projection design (Brian Pacelli) is evocative while never enveloping what occurs on stage.
Janine Loesch’s costumes feel right. Only the ill-fitting cheapness of the transvestite group’s apparel irks. Competing on stage, one would think these might be somewhat better executed.
Photos by Carol Rosegg
York Theatre Company presents
Welcome to The Big Dipper
Music/Lyrics by Jimmy Roberts
Book by Catherine Filloux and John Daggett
Additional Lyrics by John Daggett
Inspired by All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go by Catherine Filloux
Musical Direction- Beth Falcone
Directed by DeMone Seraphin
Through December 29, 2024
York Theatre
Theatre at St. Jean’s
150 East 76th Street
