The Side Man
An unsentimental appreciation of jazz musicians whose total gone devotion makes the art form a religion. Young Clifford recalls life with his father Gene - a trumpet player as humble as he is brilliant - and mother Terry, driven to near madness by Gene's inattention. Their relationship's so dysfunctional you wonder how Clifford kept sane. Side Man's a risk for a newly formed company. The memory play spans decades as fast as Gene scales octaves. Newly formed Bang! Productions, however, makes an impressive debut. The cast, led by Eddie Yaroch, Amanda Cooley Davis, and Brian Mackey as the volatile family, has no weak links. And Tom Hall's Jonesy, a one-eyed, smacked-out trombonist, is outstanding. Credit as well to Michael McKeon's inventive, accordion-like set (walls creating different playing spaces and eras) and to Matt Lescault's sound design, a remarkable assemblage of jazz trumpet greats.
Worth a try.
When
Ongoing until Sunday, October 11, 2009
Hours
| Sundays, 2pm |
| Wednesdays, 7:30pm |
| Thursdays, 7:30pm |
| Fridays, 8pm |
| Saturdays, 4pm & 8pm |