“INCREDIBLE talent and story with fantastic music!”
INCREDIBLE talent and story with fantastic music! You’ll be transported back to the 60s with this incredibly well-written and immersive musical.
Sunny Afternoon, based off the life of the 60s smash-hit band The Kinks, was one of the most joyous experiences I’ve ever had at a musical. It really captured the soul of the band through the brilliantly written script and a beautiful set to play with.
The set itself deserves merit since speakers occupied the entire 3 walls of the stage space, almost metaphorically referring to the band’s new “louder” or displaying the musical world they found themselves trapped in constantly, for better or for worse. The venue was a perfect choice being so close to where the band originated and also allowing gorgeous acoustics yet remaining intimate enough even for the back rows. Scene changes were smooth, intentional and playful.
It is so difficult to turn an entire person, let alone a group of people’s lives into 2 hours and 40 minutes, yet the writers managed to do so very successfully. The direction of the musical allowed every actor to occupy the space in a way that felt natural and never forced, with the actors’ interactions feeling organic and reflective of their individual personalities. The pacing of the events also reflected the wild and sometimes fast-paced journey to fame and back that the band went on without feeling too rushed.
Stellar performances from all cast members, such an actor-musician inclusive performance which worked perfectly not just for the nature of the band but displaying the way they communicate with each other through music. Every song felt intentional within the story, which can sometimes get lost in a jukebox musical, with subtle references that hinted at the band’s potential inspiration for songs on their journey.
A moment that really stood out to me was the song “Days” that brought tears to my eyes from the way the harmonies blended in their acapella rendition. With such a full mix of songs in the entire musical it just brought a sense of bittersweetness, like the eye in the hurricane of events happening around the band.
From brilliant casting of all of the members ,to clean and concise transitions that never left a dip in the atmosphere in the room, this was a complete triumph. It transported the audience to their Madison Square performance in particular, immersing every individual. It added a bit of joy back into the world when it can seem so overwhelming. However it never forgot the through line of family, both born and chosen.