Theatre Review: A Letter To Harvey Milk Is One To Open
A Letter To Harvey Milk is not so much about the acclaimed activist’s life as much as the lives that follow his acclaim. Milk has become a human legend for those that fabulously and loudly combat anyone who says they cannot love or be loved, especially in politics. As human beings, we admire those that dare to put themselves in the line of fire because they wish to be their selves out in the open. Meanwhile, most of us, feel safer hiding.
Adam Heller’s Harry Weinberg and Julia Knitel’s Barbara Katsef are at the heart of the show. Heller gives Harry a connective personality; even glaring into audience’s eyes as he serenades Frannie (played by show-stopper Cheryl Stern) and recalls the losses of his life. When you see how much Harry has suffered, but still manages to laugh (“Turning the Tables”) and love (“Weren’t We?”). It is in this capacity, you admire Heller’s talent, but he is well-accompanied in Julia Knitel’s starry performance.
Knitel gives Barbara such a natural charm, you think she is your friend. Barbara is sparkling with hope, nobility, and an eagerness to spread both in others lives, which makes you understand Harry’s protectiveness. After all, Harvey (Michael Bartoli) was the same. In Barbara, Harry sees Harvey Milk, his old friend, which is why he also fears for her life. A Holocaust survivor, he knows how far humanity’s darkness will go to crush the light it does not care to understand. Yet, Barbara is a light that cannot dim, and Knitel’s warm, honeyed voice soars in tracks “Love Is A Woman” and “A Letter To Harvey Milk”. With lyrics by Ellen M. Schwartz and music by Laura I. Kramer, this musical feels refreshingly simple and heartwarming.
For 100 minutes, without intermission, you watch two people sing and accept that to have love in life, they must also have loss. So often, we fear giving our hearts to another person or rather this world because it is automatic that we will lose them or they will lose us. Absolutely, no one lasts in your life, but what lives on is their memory as a guide in how you should love others. Cheryl Stern’s Frannie is the biggest example of this as she pops in for great laughs (“What A Shanda”), and pushes/ protects Harry in his growing friendship with Barbara (“Honor Thy Daughter”).
Directed by Evan Pappas, A Letter To Harvey Milk is brisk in its impact. It seeds into your heart, and blossoms with love. David L. Arsenault’s set is subtle in its 80’s throwbacks, of which Debbi Hobson’s costumes are what summon the era. Together, they transport you to 1986 San Francisco, where coming out is still a struggling taboo. Yet, if Harvey Milk taught Barbara, Harry, and anyone something, it is that telling your truth is the only way to getting your happiness. A Letter To Harvey Milk Is Playing At The Acorn Theater until May 13. Located 410 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036.
