Richard Wenzel, Pat Christenson, Benjamin Pither, Rona Sidiqqui, Cameron Weston, Lisa-Marie Newton

The final performances of William Finn and James Lapine’s modern musical A New Brain completed the Custom Made Theatre Company’s season last weekend at Off-Market Theatre. A New Brain is a “see the humor in the dark experiences” kind of story that draws from Finn’s life as a composer during a medical emergency. The story opens revealing the main character Gordon Schwinn - himself a composer - as a frustrated fellow spending his days writing songs for a children’s TV show that is “draining what is left of his talent.” Gordon collapses into his lunch and awakens in the hospital surrounded by his lover, his mother, a co-worker, the doctor, and the nurses - and a certain frog named Mr. Bungee who looks very much like his boss.

With the possibility of death at his doorstep, Gordon is reminded that life is not about prizes and fame, but about making the most of his “time and music,” as one of the many upbeat ensemble numbers proclaims.

Like the film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and the musical Les Miz, every bit of dialogue in ANB is sung as are the musical “numbers” of course - a fitting choice given the main character is a composer who perceives the world in musical terms. The ensemble is strong and enthusiastic with some standout vocal talents handling the tricky and often challenging melodies in Finn’s score. Benjamin Pither’s Gordon is a likable character and especially believable as a young frightened man facing his own possible demise. Cameron Weston as Gordon’s lover Roger is anybody’s dreamboat while singing his solo “I’d Rather Be Sailing,” and in duet numbers with his partner their voices blend well. Lisa-Marie Newton as the homeless woman is especially dynamic in her rendition of “Change” and solid vocally throughout the show. Her growth as a musical stage artist is palpable. Mr. Bungee, played energetically by Richard Wenzel, adds a big dash of humor as the children’s TV show Bullfrog character popping out of windows and across the stage in his green-eyed helmet-head.

Pat Christenson as Gordon’s mother Mimi manages to reveal her hidden fear of losing her only child through the mask of indomitable positive spirit - not an easy task. Her solo “Throw It out” is a well-timed bit of business with Ms. Newton’s homeless woman as the latter picks up Mimi’s discards. David Fierro as the hefty helpful nurse takes full charge of the stage as he struts his stuff in “Poor, Unsuccessful and Fat.” Leah S. Abrams (Co-founder of Custom Stage) as friend Rhoda, Giana DeGeisco as the waitress and “other” nurse Nancy D, and Charles Evans as the Doctor round out the cast with strong vocal commitment to their roles. The entire score is played beautifully by the piano accompanist Rona Siddiqui. 

Director Brian Katz keeps the pace moving in this 90-minute musical without intermission and has made the best possible use of the limited stage area. On Marci Ring’s set with hospital bed on the upstage center platform, a little bit of curtaining, and a piano center that gets pulled into the action as playing space too, the scenes flow quickly from one to the other without a moment’s break. All in all, Custom Made has created an enjoyable evening of musical theatre with A New Brain without the fuss and muss of “smoke and mirrors” on which larger companies often depend. For more information about their upcoming season of shows, go to www.custommade.org.