Show a ‘journey of self-discovery’
4 Chairs Theatre returns with Midwest premiere of ‘Island Song’, streaming April 23-May 2
Five New Yorkers in their 20s share the ups and downs — and interconnections — of their lives over the course of one year in 4 Chairs Theatre’s Midwest premiere of “Island Song.” The musical, with lyrics by Sam Carner and music by Derek Gregor, will stream online from April 23-May 2.
“What attracted me to ‘Island Song’ was the theme,” said director Lauren Berman of Buffalo Grove, founder of 4 Chairs Theatre. “It’s five young New Yorkers who feel disconnected in some ways, isolated in some ways, and are in this big city trying to find themselves. Much of the musical is showing them with their lives separately but how they kind of intertwine. There’s a chain that eventually — in some ways subtly, in other ways bigger — brings them a connection.”
The fact that much of the show focuses on the individual characters makes it a perfect vehicle for a virtual production.
Kaitlin Feely of Buffalo Grove, who has been in four other shows with 4 Chairs Theatre, plays Caroline.
“Caroline is someone who is trying to figure out her place, especially in New
York City,” Feely said. “She just moved there. She doesn’t really know what she wants to do with her life. She’s in the process of exploring.
She moved here in a relationship and she puts that relationship first. She’s someone who puts other people before herself. This show is her journey of learning what it means to love yourself.”
Caroline’s major solos are: “Looking for a Little Room,” “So Far From Pennsylvania,” and “After Hours.”
Feely is a fan of this show — and the director.
“The music’s gorgeous but the story is even more important,” she said. “It’s a story that I think people can really relate to now with everything that’s going on and working with Lauren is always a pleasure.”
Joe Farrell, an Arlington Heights native who is in his first 4 Chairs Theatre show, plays Cooper. Farrell described his character as “not the life of the party but he’s very determined.” He comes to New York with “rose-colored glasses,” the actor said. The would-be actor “doesn’t ever give up. He has a little bit of hope every time.”
Farrell particularly enjoys singing “So Many Windows.” “It hits home because it’s about walking around the city and wondering ‘What is someone else’s story?’ ” he said.
The cast also includes Nick Arceo, Jasmine Lacy Young, and Aalon Smith.
The theater company is using the original music track that was used for the off-Broadway production of “Island Song.” Each of the five cast members recorded their own solos. Recording the ensemble numbers was more complex.
“We would have to have each person sing their part completely for the whole song,” director Berman reported. “They had to learn their harmony separately.” Editor/sound designer Fil Graniczny combined the individual recordings.
Carner, the show’s lyricist, generously offered guidance to the cast and director. “I was so gifted with the time he gave me to talk about the show,” Berman said. Carner also attended one of the Zoom rehearsals.
“I thought he was going to be there a few minutes but he stayed longer,” Berman said. He talked about how he developed the characters and then answered cast members’ questions.”
Berman is convinced that many people will relate to this show. “We’re all going through a feeling of ‘Who am I?’ ‘Where am I?’ And trying to cling onto hope,” she said. “As humans, we’re all unique but in many ways the obstacles or challenges we go through can be universal.”
Actor Feely added that the show is, “a journey of self-discovery — finding your own direction. There is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Actor Farrell noted that the show “tells people to keep going. You have to know who you are and hold onto it. There are other people there to help you in your journey through life.”