Sometimes the best stories are the bitter-sweet memories we
offer as lessons for others, no matter the cost in the telling.
The Lion, both
honestly written and performed by Benjamin Scheuer, is among that precious
group. A story of growing up, physically
and emotionally, of loss and of finding yourself, of seeing the world in all
its shades of white and black, The Lion delivers
an insightful monologue through its story and music.
In the beginning Scheuer approaches the stage very
comfortable and casual. So casual that you may find yourself wondering if he
harbors the ability to be as emotionally vulnerable as his script allows.
However, as each story and each song unfolds so does Ben. Layer by layer
Scheuer welcomes us deeper into some very personal and intimate details of his
life. By the end you will feel that you
know him, that you were not at a show- but chatting with a close friend as he
plunked around on his guitar while telling you secrets. This casualness is the
beauty of Scheuer’s relationship with the audience, a refreshing breath of comfortable
honesty rather than a dramatized spectacle.
Scheuer’s music, be it folk or rock, gets right to the core
of his life, engaging us along. Though
sometimes simple in lyric and tune, Scheuer delivers his song with heart and
genuine self, making it akin to a full orchestra of sound and pain and laughter
and tears. This style of musicianship leaves audience members questioning if he
has other recorded music out there to get (which he does of course).
He artfully travels the stage, making use of his veritable
army of guitars, as he travels through his own life. The scenic design, by Neil Patel, was a
perfectly un-intrusive studio space. The
apartment bore the precise detail to make it seem livable and it’s curved wall
opened the focus for the three sided audience.
The walls were colored in just right to accent the simple but elegantly
effective lighting by Ben Stanton.
Scheuer ’s pace and movement lent to an excellent flow to the short piece, a
testament to Sean Daniels.
The Lion runs a
little over an hour with no intermission, playing now through July 13th at MTC
Stage II at the New York City Center. The Lion is a must see thought-provoking
masterpiece…but bring tissues for this one!
Review By: Staci Morin & Paul Morin
Photo By: Matthew Murphy
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