Review: Dramatic Musical ‘Joy To The World’
[Written by Dale Butler]
“An absolutely phenomenal presentation, outstanding set and professional acting, captivated me from the beginning and the voices – the voices!” – Cal White.
I have never attended a musical or play and seen so many happy and enthusiastic patrons arrive with high expectations to see a world premiere. The musical, Joy to the World: The Great Controversy Between Good and Evil, was a stunner that opened on Saturday, December 20 at 3.00pm at the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium with an additional presentation at 6.30pm because of the heightened interest in playwright Dana Lightbourne, Director Joelle Williams; actors who made biblical drama real; luminary musicians and a full complement of accomplished singers.
Add the haunting heavenly scenes, the backdrops that were breathtakingly authentic, the stage decorations, and angelic hosts in flowing white robes and majestic wings, and this was a must-see production for powerful theatre with a spiritual punch.
Mr. Cal White, in his review above, has eloquently captured the 5-star production of a well-written, directed, and acted musical with a very serious “narrative told through the eyes of two angels, one faithful and one fallen” that explored Satan’s treachery with real impact. This was indeed a world class musical that could find itself entered in festivals here and abroad.
Bermuda has been blessed with great playwrights, actors, and directors with very high standards like Ruth Thomas, Carol Hill, Hastings Saltus, Dr Shangri-la Durham-Thompson, Rotimi Martins, Pat Pogson-Nisbettt, Carol Ann Furbert, Patrice Frith, Seldon Woolridge, and H. Irving Ingham, to name but a few, who would have been extremely proud and endorsed this production. It was that good and an additional feather in our cap as a tiny country that has an abundance of talent.
Playwright Dana Lightbourne did an exceptional job of taking a difficult and rarely talked about theme from the Bible and turning it into a musical with depth that explored what happened when Satan was kicked out of heaven, his treachery, and the impact on the garden of Eden and what could have been a perfect world. The dialogue was delivered flawlessly to the extent it was hard to believe they were not professional full time actors.
The impact of the story was so powerful that a few children screamed and I, too, was shaking when Satan and his gang arrived on earth exuding raw, menacing intensity. So many scenes started to appear real! Story telling for Sunday School was far removed from the light thunder and lightning [children present], but it was still very effective and overwhelming because of the black clothing, horrid masks, and menacing edge that the devil’s gang brought to their role.
The whole of Ruth Seaton James was a living, breathing part of the show:
- actors appeared in the aisles and balcony
- children dressed as sheep looked real with their masks
- fighting and arguments just beneath the stage
- background graphics looked real – for example the waterfall was moving and the star looked like it was coming through a big hole in the building. Wow! The desert scene looked as though tons of sand were actually on the stage.
- the tree and how the devil was hidden in it was very clever and made this famous story in the Bible, about Eve being tempted, absolutely realistic: “The Great Temptation” seemed as though the real Adam and Eve were on stage. And when the Devil started to laugh at their decision to defy God, it ran through your whole body. This was getting too real. Gut-wrenching! Some people near me started to cry. How Adam and Eve were able to leave the stage and come back in new clothing in the twinkle of an eye was like magic.
But it was not over:
- the arrival of Job and how he was mocked
- suddenly things fall from the sky, totally unexpected, and this heightened the tension in the scene, screaming and shouting
- God’s voice calmed the audience who were shaking as they heard and saw Job in pain. It hit harder than any of us expected.
- the angel Gabriel speaking to Mary and Joseph and how Joseph questioned Mary about being pregnant was a touchy subject, but written perfectly and delivered with reality in the tone of his voice and the depth and timing of his words.
- and when the tension was heightened to its extreme, a light moment was introduced and you almost heard the audience take a deep breath and a sigh of release. It landed a punch we did not see coming.
- the argument between the devil and angel pulsed with genuine tension.
- Jesus being tempted by Satan and the plot to kill Jesus.
- then the big question: how do you fight the battle when Satan’s helpers state clearly “we are losing our influence with the people. He is using deception with his miracles to fool the people.” Answer: the Word of God.
And just when you thought that this play was ending, you get the dramatic, almost real, death of Jesus; not the usual out of control thunder and lightning, but a lighter, almost silent approach. It felt like a fever dream, only for the devils to arrive laughing [perfect timing, tone of voice, and body language gripped the audience]. People were holding each other. It swallowed the auditorium whole. Then a light touch: “this guy has always been ahead of us.” As bad as Satan’s gang was, they were not stupid because they realized “it’s not over.”
If we had an auditorium that could seat 5,000 people, I reckon it would have been full. Or if they were professional actors without day jobs, Ruth Seaton could easily have been filled five nights a week for a month and people would have paid $100 a ticket given the quality of this musical. The organizers had a tremendous amount of faith and commitment to have invested heavily in the production asking for only a donation and there were a few sponsors, but this did not deter them from having a showcase performance. An extension of this musical would have allowed senior students, prisoners, and many other groups to attend.
Additional comments from the audience:
- “…it showed very human emotions: the desire for control, the longing for recognition, and the struggle to believe what we see versus trusting what God has already done. Through music, storytelling, and heartfelt performances, the play brought us back to the heart of Christmas – not just the celebration, but the sacrifice, hope, and redemption found in Christ.” [Chinyere Ross-Nwasike]
- “…this was an enactment, but it depicted just what God, through His son Jesus, did for us on the cross. A plan straight out of heaven. Redemption. [R. Angela Bean]
Implications echo beyond; my personal reflection for change. As Ras Mykal says in his song: we can do better. If Mrs. Ruth Thomas, former head of culture, actress, playwright, etc, was still the head of culture, she would have immediately organized a committee to develop the criteria for a national grant to be made available for productions at this level. With over 100 churches in Bermuda, it is only natural that biblical productions would be considered at this critical time in our development when the country is looking for answers to curb gun violence and road deaths.
Having people of all ages [5 to seniors, like this musical] at rehearsals, with a production schedule, would bring about a positive change, develop more writers and actors, and bring motivation to our people because “we can do better.” It would inspire more youth to learn how to play an instrument, thus increasing the numbers of the Bermuda Regiment, Somerset Brigade, and North Village bands.
Values are taught in groups and accomplishment develops self-esteem and elders give direction. It worked in the past. I know because I am a product of it and proud to say so. Bermuda has to decide, and I am sure our leaders will view this idea thoroughly and take action. I see positive results that can turn Bermuda around, and be used by our neighbours in the Caribbean who are also looking for solutions.
PS: Due to time restraints there was no roll call for the 3.00pm show. The full cast and production teams were acknowledged at the end of the second show, but inadvertently left out, with apologies, were: Brendalee White, lorine Holder, and Chelsea Stirling. Photography by Reyna Waters.
- Dale Butler is the Professor of Bermuda Music and writes a variety of reviews for Bernews covering local productions and Bermudians performing overseas. His current research projects are band leader, Ernie Leader, and Bermuda’s Calypso Queen Celeste Robinson. He can be reached at daledbutler@gmail.com.
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