Henrik Ibsen wrote an epic play in five acts that has often scared audiences and artists away while others affectionately embraced it. So when someone tries to tackle Peer Gynt, there's a bit of fanfare for us Peer Gynt aficionados. Ma-Yi Theater Company brings an ambitiously rockin' adaptation of the Ibsen classic in Peer Gynt and the Norwegian Hapa Band where the titular character rocks and roll through the world without consequence or care. Set to a rock and more score, Michi Barall's adaptation, with music by Paule Lieber and Matt Park, is daring but quite scattered.
In Peer Gynt and the Norwegian Hapa Band, Peer is a selfish man-child that's hard to care for as he tries to find his purpose in the world on his journey for self. With a backdrop of live rock, if you have an appreciation for the source material, Peer Gynt and the Norwegian Hapa Band is extraordinarily exciting but if you don't know the story, you're likely lost. Michi Barall layers the lyrics with integral information that, at times, is lost in the muddled sound. If you're looking for some really great music, Lieber and Park have provided. The story of Peer Gynt is an epic odyssey that is relatable when you do a deep dive. Each beat of Ibsen's text is telling, some just take a bit more excavating. But you have to wonder if Barall was just as lost as Peer at times. This was ever-present in the infamous Troll King scene. If you worry that the audience will not comprehend the material, when in doubt, use another language! The scene is important to Peer’s arc, but the scene is generally loaded. Barall playfully has the Trolls speak in foreign tongue and only hit the highlights in English as a means to assistant the audience. It’s an unfortunate lapse in story. And there are a few similar moments of manipulation. On his conquest, the music often keeps the beat of the evening. Much praise should be given to orchestrator Chad Raines for capturing Lieber and Park’s score. It’s overall pretty smart as the variety of styles seems to tie together. Though some numbers, like “I Top From the Bottom” out of context cause some giggles, intentional or not. But if you know your Peer Gynt, the music team gives you a beautiful Easer egg in the troll scene with an ode to “In the Hall of the Mountain King.”
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| photo by Hunter Canning |
Any Peer Gynt will live or die through the actor portraying its titular character. He is the reason we watch the journey. Matt Park didn’t quite take command as Peer. He allowed the world to control him. Peer is an easy person to dislike and Park ran with it, providing no depth in his arc. Park was picked up by his supporting cast, namely Angel Desai, who frequented Peer’s women, Mia Katigbak, playing Peer’s mom, and Titus Tompkins, who banged on the drums while portraying Peer’s rival. Desai had a innate skill to portray the women scorned. She eased into the sultriness of the characters, tempting him throughout. Park was strongest in his scenes with Katigbak’s Ose as they were the most natural and Ibsen-like. Their dynamic was pure and fun. Tompkins stole the show with his vast character skills as well as his boisterous skill on the drums and mandolin.
Ambition took center stage at Peer Gynt and the Norwegian Hapa Band. In the note from the creative team, they seem ashamed that they slimmed the playing time and yet it still felt excessive. I can guarantee this story can be perfectly told in ninety minutes. Perhaps with proper trimming and cohesion in the book and score, Peer Gynt and the Norwegian Hapa Band could be something cool.
