Musical Therapy is a laugh-a-minute from start to finish, starring some pretty dysfunctional relationships influenced by an even more exceedingly dysfunctional therapist. Although it features delightfully animated singing sock puppets, this show is not for kids! Some of the jokes are fairly obscene, but it’s virtually nonstop comedy as long as you find sexual innuendo entertaining.
This intimate theatrical spectacle, the brainchild of Joey Katsiroubas, tells the story of Theresa, a neurotic couples counselor with some slightly stalkerish tendencies. She meets Will (aka Mr. Wonderful) in her office building one day and for her, it is love at first sight. Too bad her feelings are not quite equally reciprocated!
While following Will home, Theresa discovers that Mr. Wonderful is not exactly single, but she is convinced that his relationship with his practically perfect girlfriend Beth must have some flaw to exploit.
Theresa hatches an elaborate plan, involving the love lives of her patients in order to get her man. Her fixation leaves her unconcerned with the emotional damage she causes to those around her, and inevitably, Theresa’s meddling actions backfire.
Despite her mixed-up, delusional obsession over Will, Theresa reveals that her social awkwardness and odd attitudes stem from previous abandonment and a very real fear of being alone. Her experience is relatable and somewhat charming, even taking into account her moments of lunacy.
The show was a bit rough around the edges. There were times when it was difficult to hear the lines of some more soft-spoken characters. I also found the introduction of Theresa’s clients at the beginning of the play was a bit sudden, but one could argue that the couples and their issues were meant to be initially shocking.
Even so, Musical Therapy has a plot full of lively characters and scandalous jokes. All of the cast members were wonderful vocalists. In addition, the sincere representation of each character made the play engaging, yet managed an ambiance where an audience member need not take anything too seriously.
The jazzy and upbeat score, composed by Joey Katsiroubas, was played by a live percussionist and pianist who both never left the stage. The choreography and staging itself was not all that complex, but served its own comedic purpose. Theresa even dazzled with a few well-placed time-steps and a showy hair flip or two.
In all, if you enjoy some quirky humor and social awkwardness interspersed among live music and song, this is a show you will definitely appreciate. In this crazy compilation of unrequited love and miscommunication, dysfunctionality takes center stage.
Musical Therapy . Books and Lyrics by: Joey Katsiroubas, Dan Hass . Composer: Joey Katsiroubas . Director: Jessica Dubish Dan Hass . Featuring: Katie Rey Bogdan, Jacob Thompson, Skye Lindberg, Michael Bertone, Marissa Kovach, Hayley Dandreaux, Jeffrey Trent . Presented at Capital Fringe 2018 . Reviewed by Arielle Ostry.
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