Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Elizabeth A. Davis’s bluegrass musical MY NAME’S NOT INDIAN JOE is musically accomplished, but the book needs further attention

• By drediman
• July 16, 2018
• No Comments

Robert Salas and Elizabeth A. Davis in “Indian Joe” at The Davenport Theatre.

Elizabeth A. Davis – a Tony-nominee for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Once –  is one of the most beautiful and talented musical theater actresses working in New York theater. By and large, she’s managed to stay away from mainstream Broadway musicals, instead focusing her efforts on material that’s more off the beaten track. Apart from the aforementioned, gorgeously intimate Once, which began Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop, she’s appeared in supporting roles in experimental productions of Brecht (Caucasian Chalk Circle, with music by Duncan Sheik) and Rodgers and Hammerstein (Allegro) – both at Classic Stage Company. In almost all of her stage performances, she’s appeared with violin in hand, to ravishing effect.

The same is true of Ms. Davis’s latest New York stage appearance in My Name’s Not Indian Joe at Off-Broadway’s Davenport Theatre, which puts music front and center. Unlike those previous performances, she’s taken on the role of leading lady. But more importantly, she also wrote the musical’s book and score. My Name’s Not Indian Joe tells the story of a young Texan woman who befriends an older, down-and-out Native American man. Although there’s an undeniable older brother-younger sister dynamic that develops between the two, their vastly different backgrounds lead them to make inaccurate assumptions about each other, to detrimental effect.

Ms. Davis’s accomplished bluegrass-inspired score is well-crafted and pleasantly realized by a very good onstage band. However, it’s the book elements – the usual culprit in new musicals – that gives me pause to criticize. There’s insufficient reason why a relationship between these two diametrically opposed characters should endure, especially given “Indian” Joe’s hostile, insubordinate behavior for much of the show. Additionally, the musical’s resolution seems rushed and inadequately earned. Much can be forgiven, however, given that the work is still a work in progress. As for Ms. Davis’s performance, it’s perfectly fine, if in need of just a tad more gravitas; that will come. On the positive side, however, the work is handsomely mounted (set design by Ann Beyersdorfer) and smoothly staged (direction by the veteran Don Scardino), especially at this at this point in the musical’s development.

SOMEWHAT RECOMMENDED

MY NAME’S NOT INDIAN JOE
Off-Broadway, Musical
The Davenport Theatre
2 hours (with one intermission)
Through July 22