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| Katie Deal and David M. Lutken. Photo: Anne Hudson |
Gee It’s Good to Be Back Home Again
By Lauren Yarger
By Lauren Yarger
I admit it, while everyone else was listening to the latest
from Led Zeplin, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan or any other pop rock star in the
1970s, I was listening to John Denver. The wholesome country singer sang about
simple things like love, peace, family, happy childhoods and nature and his
constant smile and cries of “Far Out!” appealed in a time otherwise filled with
angst.
What a treat to get to enjoy his songs in the hands of a
master: David M. Kutken, who plays Dan Wheetman (a co-writer on the show’s book
and its Musical Director) who toured with Denver. The story (the book is
co-written by Director Randal Myler) is told from Wheetman’s perspective. His
life and Denver’s seem on parallel courses at times as the men enjoy success in
their careers, marry, have children and then suffer marriage problems as the
demands of being on the road take their toll.
Lutken is joined by Katie Deal who lends harmony on a number
of the tunes, sings some of them on her own and steps in occasionally to give an
impression of Wheetman’s wife as he reflects on some of their personal joys and
sorrows. There’s just enough story to give context and deeper understanding to
the songs, but The Road doesn’t try
to be a jukebox musical with some silly plot interwoven around a chance to sing
the artist’s most popular tunes.
It’s an entertaining show with the audience singing along
(sometimes invited to do so and at other times just because they can’t help
themselves) on songs like “Take Me Home, Country
Roads,” “Rocky Mountain High” and “Leaving On a Jet Plane.” In fact, I was struck by just how many songs
Denver has given us – all of which we know all they lyrics to -- as tune after
tune was played on a variety of instruments. And both actors play those
instruments.
Lutken, you might remember from
his appearances here in Connecticut (Ring of Fire at Ivoryton and the fabulous Woody Sez at
TheaterWorks). Deal tours and performs as a concert vocalist. My one
criticism of this show is that the sound mix (Design by Tate R. Burmeister, who also does the lighting design)
makes it hard to hear her, despite Lutken’s obvious attempts to pull back on
his guitar.
Other than that, I didn’t take a
lot of notes. I just sat back and thoroughly enjoyed. If you’re a Denver fan,
or if you are one of the millions of people who got married in the ’70s to a John
Denver tune (as Artistic Director Jacqueline Hubbard quipped probably was the
case for many in the audience), you will enjoy doing the same.
The Road: My Life With John Denver plays through April 24 at Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main St., Ivoryton, Performances are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2 pm; Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm; Friday and Saturday at 8 pm. Tickets are $44 for adults; $39 for seniors; $22 for students and $17 for children. (860) 767-7318; www.ivorytonplayhouse.org
Additional Credits: Set Design by Dan Nischan, Costume Design by Vickie Blake.
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