REUNIONS
Reunions is comprised of two short musicals that together form a one act evening (an hour and a half with no intermission.) Each musical is based on a short story. As the press kit says:
"Reunions is a new musical adaptation of two famous one-act plays with a common theme: lovers met by chance after many years apart.
The Twelve Pound Look is based on the play by J.M. Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan. The play takes place in Downton Abbey-era London. Harry Sims is about to be knighted when the past catches up with him in this ripped-from-the-headlines look at issues of social class, a woman's "place," and the high price of success.
A Sunny Morning is based on the enchanting play by Spain’s prolific Quintero Brothers. The action takes place in a park in Madrid where the hope of love springs eternal, even among septuagenarians."
The Barrie inspired piece is much more in line with Barrie's (today) lesser known theatrical plays - keeping much closer to them in subject and style than the fantasy of his we have come to know so well. Few today know this side of Barrie. The story is fine... not breaking any new ground for a modern audience, though it must have been a tad shocking when it was originally published. The piece can basically be summed up with: Husbands, be careful to care for your wives, for your neglect and obsession with success will alienate her and inspire her to leave and pursue an independent life.
The Quintero Brothers piece can be just as easily summed up: true love in never without hope of being found again. In this story a man and a woman in their seventies meet on a park bench, realize they were star crossed lovers in their youth and their romance is rekindled.
The essence of the stories that inspired the musicals are solid if a bit old hat at this point. I don't understand why they were adapted into musicals. The songs do all but nothing to add to the story being told, and the best moments are when lines or lyrics are taken directly from the original text. And at only an hour and a half, the piece still manages to drag and feel way too long. These pieces feel like they would have been much better suited for a ten minute musical exercise at BMI or NYU'S Grad Musical Theater Writing (maybe The Twelve Pound Look could have gone for fifteen.)
The most interesting things here come from the fantastic team that's been assembled to pull off the somewhat lackluster material. Director Gabriel Barre is known for working miracles with every piece he touches, and his direction makes the most out of what he was given. Frankly, it's shocking that this piece got a cast this good - featuring phenomenal performers Chilina Kennedy, Courtney Reed and, oh yes, CHIP ZION. They work absolute magic onstage - as do the musicians who are visible throughout and sometimes interact with the action onstage.
The design elements are beautiful - from the intelligent, romantic set, to the quality costumes and wigs and the effective lighting design.
To be honest, I'm not quite sure how this piece managed to get a production at City Center/MTC. It's definitely in need of some work, and some serious questions as to, honestly, the point of its existence as it currently stands. If you want a sold evening of good storytelling, go read the original stories. If you want to see a director, designers, and cast at the top of their game, go see this show.
Laura Sele
Reunions is currently playing at the NewYork City Center - Stage II
Tickets: https://www.nycitycenter.org/pdps/2025-2026/reunions/
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