Goodman Theatre presents the World Premiere production of MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL The Musical.
Before true crime podcasts and shocking documentaries, John Berendt published his 1994 blockbuster non-fiction book, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” Berendt told the real life story of a murder in Savannah, Georgia. It was a colorful page turner that became a Pulitzer Prize finalist.The actual killing became secondary to his portrayal of the eccentric residents living and dying in the Southern town. Aristocrats and nouveau riche, drag queens and Republicans, black débutantes and white trash. Berendt weaved together the intimate details of a city anchored in a controversial romanticism of its past and challenged with confronting a progressive future.
Berendt’s book was spellbinding. The 1997 movie wasn’t quite as engaging. And the 2024 musical is less good and evil and more fun and dull.
The fun part is Tony and Grammy Award-winning J. Harrison Ghee (The Lady Chablis). The dynamic Ghee towers over the production in five inch heels and with non-stop personality. Ghee plays an unapologetically vivacious and salacious nightclub entertainer. Within five minutes of Ghee’s first appearance and third lewd utterance describing a lady part, the couple across the aisle from me abruptly leave. Ghee is a a tour de force… hitting ongoing one liners, belting out powerhouse singing and even at one point doing the splits in a mini skirt and spiked heels. Ghee is a natural in the role of The Lady Chablis. The angry reaction to ‘reign it in’ feels organic. The plucky resilience to keep going seems personal. Even Ghee’s opening night curtain call antics appear spontaneous and honest. J. Harrison Ghee gives an unforgettable performance!!
Ghee is so FUN!! And the rest of it is kind of dull… even with a murder. Without Ghee on stage, the storytelling gets weirdly quiet and detaching. The creative team of Taylor Mac (book) and Jason Robert Brown (music and lyrics) struggle to stir up the initial excitement over the totally original characters Berendt brought to the world’s attention. And maybe the book’s engagement was built on tackling taboo topics like racial discrimination, sexual orientation and gender identity that today have become more freely discussed with individuals’ rights protected (this year, anyway).
Although the talent is there with Tony Award nominee Tom Hewitt (Jim Williams) and Olivier Award nominee Sierra Boggess (Emma), the story and songs fail to captivate. Although a shirtless Austin Colby (Danny) is hot, either the song or the chemistry of “Jim and Danny” doesn’t ignite any heat between him and Hewitt. The characters in general feel basic. They are cliches that don’t evoke any empathy or interest. The conversations are stilted. Most songs are pretty trivial. There are a couple musical numbers that pop! An effervescent Shanel Bailey (Lavella) leads “Clap on One and Three.” It’s a peppy anthem of determination. Boggess, also, appears with her elegant ladies’ preservation group. They sing and diss about the ‘Northern Aggression’ and homosexuals and are particularly hilarious in “Sad House.” And nod out to Toni-Leslie James (costumes) and Matthew Armentrout (wig/hair) for giving these ladies a painfully accurate 80s makeover.
MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL The Musical is a snippet of life in a southern town in the 80s. Even though Scenic Designer Christopher Oram creates the perfect Spanish moss draped setting for a mystery, the story isn’t as intriguing. Still, Ghee holds court and the audience’s attention for half the time in a diva-licious salute to individuality. You had me at Ghee!
Running Time: Three hours includes an intermission
At Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn
Based on the book by John Berendt
Book by Taylor Mac
Music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Music direction by Thomas Murray
Choreography by Tanya Birl-Torres
Directed by Rob Ashford
Performances are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays at 7:30pm
Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays at 2pm
EXTENDED Thru August 11
For more information or tickets
Production photos by Liz Lauren
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