Theater: “The Lonely Few” at MCC
With “Stereophonic” and “Tommy” currently on Broadway, does the world really need another rock-and-roll play? Apparently, MCC thinks so, and so they offer “The Lonely Few,” a self-described “Southern queer jam” currently previewing at their off-Broadway venue.
The play is mostly set in Paul’s Juke Joint, somewhere in Kentucky, where Lila (Lauren Patten) and her band of rock-and-rollers (The Lonely Few) perform—that is, when they’re not stocking shelves at the local Sav-On supermarket. One night, Amy (Taylor Iman Jones), a bluesy singer who’s a local legend, pays a surprise visit to the club. Amy is impressed with the bad, Lila is impressed with Amy, and the two gay women think this could be the start of a beautiful relationship.
Just so happens Amy is looking for an opening act for her band’s upcoming tour and wants to sign Lila and company, who are only too willing to comply. The ups and downs of the tour—and the women’s romance—drive the rest of the play, as do the trials and tribulations of Lila’s ne’er-do-well brother Adam (Peter Mark Kendall), an alcoholic who’s been suddenly left behind in the shuffle.
The cast is what’s strongest about “Lonely.” Lauren Patten (from “Jagged Little Pill”) is a belter who sings (often screams) but plays piano and guitar to perfection. As Amy, Taylor Iman Jones (from “Six”) has a lovely voice, a booming presence and reminds me of Melissa Etheridge, albeit with a mullet.
Sadly underused is Damon Daunno as Dylan, Lila’s goofy, mop-haired backup guitarist. Daunno, who originated the role of Orpheus in “Hadestown” (NYTW) and who played Curly in “Oklahoma” (St. Ann’s Warehouse) is a crooner and I’m not sure his turn as a stoner guitarist is DD at his best. Props to Helen Shen as the hilarious JJ and Thomas Silcott as Paul.
The rock-and-roll songs by Zoe Sarnak run the gamut from lyrical and lovely to very, very loud (earplugs are provided in the lobby). So-so book by Rachel Bond but great set by Sibyl Wickersheimer. In short, “The Lonely Few” may be a perfect evening for you hardcore rock-and-roll animals. As for the rest of us, I will acknowledge it’s gutsy, and with tempered expectations may be worth your time.
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