New Jersey Review: Benny and Joon

Bryce Pinkham, Photo: Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade

Benny and Joon
By Kirsten Guenther, based on the film written by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil.

Music by Nolan Gasser

Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein

Choreography by Scott Rink

Music Direction by J. Oconor Navarro

Directed by Jack Cummings III

By Lauren Yarger

What's It All About?

A tale of a brother trying to take care of his mentally-challenged sister and a sister trying to find herself outside of her brother's shadow, based on the 1993 film  of the same name, written by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil and starring  Johnny Depp and Mary Stuart Masterson.

This staging, imaginatively directed by Jack Cummings III, features Bryce Pinkham (A Gentelman's Guide to Love and Murder) as Sam, an odd introverted man the siblings "win" in a poker game and who changes their lives. He copes by escaping to the the scenes of old movies that play in his head and somehow, that is a perfect match for Joon (Hannah Elless), who navigates her schizophrenia and the two find the relationship they always have been looking for, but which they thought was impossible. 

Joon's brother, Benny (Claybourne Elder), struggles with this, but is it because he is protecting the sister he has cared for for 15 years following the death of their parents in a car accident, or is it because he resents the fact that she has found happiness when he has sacrificed his own?  He backed away from his own chance at happiness with waitress Ruthie (and engaging Tatiana Wechsler) to stay with Joon. Would a group home -- which Joon adamantly doesn't want -- be the best solution?

What Are the Highlights?

Finally, a musical with wit, warmth and whimsy. Cummings creates an environment where both reality and fantasy feel right at home. Pinkham is in his element as the Charlie-Chaplinesque loner whose character delights with a pure heart and true friendship while he quotes movie scenes (while giving impressions of the stars) and serving up food items prepared in fanciful ways. 

While light and breezy (with choreography by Scott Rink), the story manages to deal with serious issues through characters who are flawed, but very likable. Family and friendship are real winners here. I'd like to see this show make the leap to Broadway.

What Are the Lowlights?
The music by Nolan Gasser is pleasant if not memorable (except for the title tune which sticks). A poker-playing song seems a bit over the top. Some vocals seem stretched (though Natalie Toro, who wowed us in Broadway's Tale of Two Cities, gets a chance to soar vocally during a short solo number).

More Info:

Ensemble:

Conor Ryan as Sam at certain performances,Colin Hanlon as Mike, Paolo Montalban as Larry, Natalie Toro as Dr. Cortez/Mrs. Smail, Jacob Keith Watson as Waldo/Video Store Owner and Belinda Allyn.

Running time: two hours and 30 minutes with an intermission.

Benny and  Joon plays a limited engagement through Sunday, May 5, 2019 at Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ. papermill.org/show/benny-joon/

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FACTORS:
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