A poignant but criminally under rehearsed new musical
Developed in America and currently having its European debut, Little Piece of You: An Atypical Musical in Concert has been in development since 2020. Conceived by and starring Kjersti Long as pop star Sydney Hill, this show explores the genetic component of mental health struggles by following one particular family tree and the suffering of its past generations.
The score in its current iteration is co-written by Long and her father Jeremy, with book by Melissa Leilani Larson. It follows the struggle of teenager Britt (Dujonna Gift), dealing with her busy thoughts and an inability to fit in at school. Her mother Shannon (Mica Paris), suffers from depression and suicidal thoughts while her father Ethan (David Bedella), does his best to remain supportive and upbeat for his family. This central storyline is backgrounded by Britt’s obsession with pop singer Sydney Hill, who writes relatable songs about her own mental health struggles.
The concept of the musical is a relevant one, as society becomes more in-tune with mental health and the repercussions of leaving conditions unaddressed or untreated. However, the execution of the story is lacking. With less than 2 weeks of rehearsal time, this concert performance feels more like an initial stumble through. Cues are missed, lines are dropped, there are countless sound and lighting issues. The only performer consistently hitting her marks is Long, with the others frequently leaving lengthy pauses as they seem to struggle to remember what to say or where to be.
The backup dancers seem similarly unpractised, with half-hearted performances that read more like marking through the movements than opening night of a West End production. It’s difficult to review a show that seems so underprepared for the stage, as undoubtedly the opening night did not showcase the musicals full potential. Unfortunately, direction by Lauren Hopkinson is also sluggish, leaving a musical lacking pace or energy in-between upbeat concert interludes by Long.
There are some stand out performers of the night, including Bedella as a charming and patient father who disappointingly doesn’t get a song of his own. Long also perfectly captures the cringe pop star performance style of the 2000’s and sings her own songs with passion and energy.
Costumes by Elin Steele are eclectic and fun, additionally helping to convey the time jumps in act 2, assisted by slick changes performed by ensemble members. Long wears a particularly striking leather ensemble, providing further context around the kind of pop star Sydney is.
This show has great potential, with good songs and an interesting premise. With some story rerouting and a few extra weeks of rehearsal Little Piece of You could become a total crowd pleaser, it’s just not there yet.