Theatre Review: Ordinary Days Shows How Extraordinary It Is To Love
Ordinary Days’ is a modern musical; filled with everything we love of theatre fantasy and whisked with hints of 21st century romantic realities. From Dear Evan Hansen to Vietgone, the modern musical takes the glamor of old, classic musicals and places them in the heart of its characters; making big sets and ornate costumers fall to the wayside of grittier, more grounded stories. Playing at Clurman Theatre till November 17, Ordinary Days is a Millennial musical; singing to the youth that are simply trying to survive this world.
In its synopsis, alone,Ordinary Days sets that it is a play about people discovering people, and what better setting than New York to achieve such a mission. Each character comes with their own set of problems, but the sincere hope that such issues do not overpower their goals for success, love, and happiness. Whitney Bashor’s Claire spearheads this mission. Mourning the loss of her previous partner, but opening herself to the new love with Jason (Mark De La Cruz), their dynamic feels like the soil that blossoms this musical. They are earthed in the true maturity it takes to want to be with someone, despite their flaws and pushbacks. Thus, Claire and Jason become the titular protagonists of a recurring theme throughout Ordinary Days: healing.
Rejection, loss, and self-loathing are all jumping into taxis with Ordinary Days’ characters, but their journeys are about not allowing the constant sufferings and drawbacks of life to hinder the possibilities and accomplishments that can be achieved. It is a beautiful message that director Jonathan Silverstein plucks from the music and lyrics of Adam Gwon. Sonically, the plays flows like a Les Mis for those with struggling careers and couplings. Ultimately, this is a musical about people finding their inner song; the little hum or hymn in their heart that guides them to find their place. Hence, characters like Deb (Sarah Lynn Marion) and Warren (Kyle Sherman).
Though my heart gravitated to Deb and Warren, let me be clear; the “secondary” or more exuberant characters always grab people. In West Side Story, we all preferred Anita over Maria and, in Chicago, we all pulled for Velma over Roxie. Thus, in this sense, you will find yourself cheering for Deb and Warren, especially because they are such a ying/yang dynamic. Deb is ALL OF US, especially those that know the misery of grad school. She is bitter, snarky, and Lynn-Marion’s voice is, definitely, the most powerful of the cast. While everyone is clearly trained, she adds a note of power and emotiveness that makes you feel her isolation, and hope for her connection with Warren.
Sherman gives Warren such a wide-eyed positivity, he feels like the Phil to Deb’s Claire (Modern Family Reference!). We all need someone to help us realize that we have become jaded, especially because everyone thinks they are the only ones with problems. Though we know everyone gets hurt and feels alone, ultimately, we can only speak for our experiences; hence, our frustrations become our alienations. When compared to Claire and Jason’s relationship, Deb and Warren share a friendship we all feel we have; the one of two crazy eccentrics trying to find some “Calm.” Meanwhile Claire and Mark represent the maturity of love, and how it asks us to promise will be there for somebody even when we wish not to be there for ourselves.
Musically, Ordinary Days is simply gorgeous. Spiritually, it is humble and accessible. Every person understands what it is to feel lost, and so wounded, by the choices you have made or the situations you have undergone, that you fear investing in your present and future. Through a casually exceptional cast, Ordinary Days is a breathe of fresh air for those that feel like they struggling to breath in their own life. To Buy Tickets For Ordinary Days Click Here.
