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Regional Reviews: Other Regions Harmony
Set in Germany during the rise of the Nazi regime, Harmony tells the story of the Comedian Harmonists, a six-man vocal ensemble whose innovative arrangements, playful performances, and impeccable harmonies captivated audiences throughout Europe in the late 1920s and early 1930s. As their popularity soars, the group's friendships, romances, and careers are threatened by Hitler's rise to power and the increasingly oppressive anti-Jewish laws. What begins as an uplifting tale of ambition and camaraderie gradually transforms into a poignant examination of friendship, prejudice, lost opportunities, and the devastating consequences of intolerance. Harmony had a long journey to the stage, premiering in California in 1997 before undergoing numerous revisions over the years, with subsequent productions in Atlanta and Los Angeles, and ultimately reaching Broadway in 2023. Based on the true story of the Comedian Harmonists, the show shines a light on an extraordinary chapter of musical history that most theatregoers are probably unfamiliar with. Barry Manilow's score, which is a perfect blend of ballads, personal introspective, and performance numbers, is sublime. His melodies are memorable, and Bruce Sussman's lyrics are assured, witty, and impactful, driving the plot forward. However, while the plot remains consistently intriguing, Sussman's book does stumble by failing to clearly establish early on that not every member of the group is Jewish, especially since the audience knows going in what the future will hold for Jews under Hitler's regime. As a result, the dramatic conclusion of the first act, where an important decision is made by one of the group members, can be somewhat confusing until the makeup of the group is finally clarified in the second act. Fortunately, the ending delivers a powerful emotional payoff. Also, the idea to frame the story through an older version of the main character reflecting on his past proves to be an especially effective device, drawing audiences into the narrative while emphasizing the profound weight of memory, regret, and survival. Swing Jeff Thompson delivers a fantastic portrayal of the older Rabbi, the member of the group whose memories of the past frame the story. Thompson also plays several supporting roles confidently, and his stage presence, facial expressions, and vocal reflections ground the musical in bittersweet emotion, adding relevance to the historical moments. The six actors portraying the Harmonists (Benjamin David Tate, Brandon LaMar Buckner, Curtis Allen, Dallin Salway, Ben Hansen, and Ben Hahn) perform like a finely tuned ensemble, delivering impeccable harmonies under Rob Moffat's assured music direction, capturing the group's signature sound with remarkable precision, even though four were understudies at the performance I attended. Their vocal blend, comic timing, and believable camaraderie make it easy to accept that the real-life group became international sensations, and each performer contributes distinct personality while remaining part of a seamless whole. As the two female characters, Teaira Burge and Rachel Marie Fonseca, provide warmth, emotional grounding, and romantic depth while also highlighting the personal sacrifices made as history closes in around the central characters. Their vocal skills also deliver soaring notes on the show's ballads. They also, along with the ensemble, add doses of humanity and authenticity throughout. Hale's production is crisply and clearly directed by Dave Tinney, with staging that makes excellent use of the revolving turntable incorporated into Jenn Taylor's handsome multi-layered scenic design. Tinney's stage transitions are smooth and cinematic, allowing the story to unfold with momentum while shifting effortlessly among performances, backstage moments, and increasingly ominous historical events, and Madeline Ashton's projections provide many archival photo and video elements to ground the story in authenticity. The period-perfect costumes (original Broadway costume design by Linda Cho and Ricky Lurie and additional designs by Dennis Wright) beautifully capture the styles of the era, while the lighting design by Marianne Ohran becomes especially impactful during the finale, reinforcing the emotional power of the musical's closing song. Lindsey D. Smith's choreography delivers some fun dance steps for the six members of the group. Although I have a few quibbles with the storytelling in Harmony, its compelling true story and memorable score far outweigh its minor flaws. With a superb cast, heartfelt performances, and emotionally satisfying conclusion, Hale's production of Harmony should leave audiences with plenty to reflect upon while serving as both an entertaining celebration of the extraordinary musicianship of the Comedian Harmonists and a moving reminder of lives forever altered by history. Harmony runs through August 1, 2026, at Hale Centre Theatre, 9900 South Monroe Street, Sandy UT. For tickets and information, please visit hct.org or call 801-984-9000. Producer: Sally Dietlein Cast: |
