Rain, fire and wind in tow. “Not Wanted on the Voyage” opened last weekend in the Barber Theatre, 30 Arts Circle Dr.
With 16 performances running through Aug. 8, the original play is presented by the American Music Theatre Project at Northwestern. The show recasts the classic tale of the Great Flood in a dark comedic style, angling toward an alternate interpretation of the Biblical story that maintains its epic style. Directed by Amanda Dehnert, the collaboration between writers Neil Bartram and Brian Hill took the stage after years of development on campus.
“It isn’t really similar to any other play,” said audience member Judi Gettleman, who described the work as “brilliant.”
The story, which focuses on the journey of patriarch Noah Noyes, his family and the secrets that lurk beneath the surface of their voyage, impressed spectator Andrew Temkin with its ambitious style. “I wasn’t expecting the size of it,” he said.
AMTP, founded in 2005 by the School of Communication, facilitates developers of new plays by partnering them with NU faculty and students, who coordinate and participate in workshops on the plays.
Betsy Hogg, Communication ’10, played the role of Emma in “Not Wanted on the Voyage” after playing the part in all three of the play’s workshops. The way AMTP works allows students to step into the creative process in its working stages, Hogg said.
“The first time we worked on the first act, a lot of the second act wasn’t written. It’s really cool to have that progression from really not having anything to having the whole thing there in front of you,” she said.
Commenting on this evolution from scraps of ideas into a full play, the writers praised NU’s role in the development of the work.
“It seems like everybody gets something out of the process,” said Brian Hill, who wrote the book for the play. “We get the space to work on it and students get the (experience).”
This environment allowed them to grow the play into its full-fledged form, said Neil Bartram, who wrote the music and lyrics.
“It’s changed drastically,” the Broadway composer said. “Here, we get the time to really delve into the work and explore.”
Bartram said the duo had previously laid aside an early draft of the script when Dehnhert suggested they bring the project to AMTP. Once the play was taken on by NU, students were able to work with the writers rather than just a script, said Nate Lewellyn, Communication ’10.
“The writers have been so kind and so passionate,” said Lewellyn, who played one of Noah’s sons Ham.
After the play’s debut on campus, its creators are hopeful that it has a bright future beyond NU.
“We’re going to keep working on it and honing it,” Hill said.
Bertram mentioned some colleagues from New York would be attending, and he said he hopes they can help “put (the show) on its feet in a professional capacity.”
But ultimately, said actor Matt Deitchman, the show should connect with its audience.
“The most important thing” to take away from the play, the Communication junior said, “is for people to not be afraid to ask questions.” [email protected]
