'Departure Lounge' Ready For Takeoff In Its U.S. Debut

Last Sunday night, Bailiwick Chicago celebrated the first anniversary of its reincarnation by presenting the American debut of the musical "Departure Lounge," a very English rumination from the pen of author, lyricist and composer Dougal Irvine on what it means to bridge the gap between youth and adulthood. Formally premiering in London just this past September 28th, developed by Perfect Pitch (UK) in association with Andy Barnes, Joseph Smith and Hilary A. Williams, this 90 minute burst of creativity and struggling insight was first fully staged at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival, after a showcase in 2006.

Chicago has the opportunity to see it, Thursdays through Sundays, through December 12, 2010 at the Royal George Cabaret Theatre, with a young and fully committed cast working their hormones off to bring to life Irvine's likeable but immature characters, singular songs and English street slang. The show is funny, touching and a bit overwhelming at times, in a very good way. 

I enjoyed the show very much, though I was afraid I wouldn't when the first few scenes and songs neither took off nor landed for me (sorry, I couldn't resist).  Some jokes seemed forced, and while the opening song, "Brits On Tour," is quite catchy, the second, "Fe-male," seemed to lack confidence and a real writer's voice. But gradually, as I got to learn more about who these four young men are (stranded in an airport on the Costa del Sol in Spain, while waiting for the university entrance test results that will determine their individual futures), the songs took on what I sense is the true voice of composer Dougal. 

He told me after the performance that the show took shape when he wrote some songs in his London home, and realized he needed a story to put them in. The guitar-driven, introspective and surprisingly harmonied light rock songs made me want to hear them again--a very good sign! (Jim DeSelm and Courtney Crouse played them beautifully.) And the cast, under the musical direction of Bailwick artistic director Kevin D. Mayes, sings them with care, musically and authentically. They also deliver director-choreographer Tom Mullen's scene-shaping with intelligence and his Broadway cum hip-hop choreography with an exhausting fervor. And the cast is uniformly attractive, appealing and watchable. 

Devin Archer plays Jordan, the young man with a secret, with an interesting combination of smart self-awareness and easy-going dopiness. He also sings the most remarkable note you are likely to hear in Chicago non-Equity production this year. Dan Beno's JB, the future aristocrat of the bunch, tries to hold his entourage of regular guys together with strength and charm. Erik Kaiko bring Ross, the beta-male who's really not, some manly boyishness and some puppyish manliness. And Jay W. Cullen, as Ross, does a great job with this tricky, angsty orphan role, though he needs to remember his technique in the midst of all that emotional whirlwind. All four young triple-threat actors are impressive, negotiating a complex musical language, athletic staging, exacting dialects (Lindsay A. Bartlett was their coach) and vitally important heterosexual friendships with hard work, sheet talent and a shiningly admirable commitment to the material at hand. 

As Sophie, the girl they all want to love, Andrea Larson does great work juggling reality, fantasy, dreams and vacation sex roles (think Cancun, or "Girls Gone Wild"). And Brittany Townsley, Abby E. Sammons and the veteran Rus Rainear are hilarious as the Flight Crew, setting the tone of the evening even before the play begins, throwing off zingers and just a touch of off-kilter corporate bizzaroworld to balance the boys' struggles with "who are we," "where are we going," "what do our friendships mean," and "who will love me as I am." You know, life's big questions for the young and young at heart. 

John Rotonda has supplied "Departure Lounge" with its titular location, a lovely but faceless international airport room with, seemingly, no entrance or exit. Jared B. Moore's lighting is moody, stark and fine, given the Cabaret Theatre's notoriously low ceiling. Bill Morey gave the boys perfect casual travel clothes, and had fun with Sophie's many dresses and the Flight Crew's frightening uniforms. Properties Designer Nathalie Ayala's main contribution was to somewhat unnecessary production number "Spanish Hospitality," reminiscent of the the "Ed Sullivan Show" number from "Forever Plaid" ("Lady Of Spain," get it?). 

There are a few bumpy spots, I must admit, when the show is a bit clunky in construction, or when a set-up goes on a bit heavy. But I felt like I got to know these guys pretty well, and I cared about their happiness, their futures, their friendships. Give the style of the show, and all that irreverent British slang, some time to soak into you and you will be fine. 

When characters pretty much say out loud that they are in a metaphorical situation, and nobody in the audience groans, you have a winner on your hands. And, frankly, it may be a few years before guys very similar to these four characters play these roles again, if the show is as successful as it could be with a future high-profile engagement. Bailiwick Chicago has something of a coup on its hands, er, stage, at the moment. You should catch it before it departs. Before those boys become men and look back at their summer fling with longing, regret, or something like closure. I just got a bit teary while writing this! That never happens.... Hmm....  Grab a friend and see this show. Were we ever this carefree, and simultaneously so full of crises that we almost burst at the seams? Yes, I think we were. 

"Departure Lounge" with book, music and lyrics by Dougal Irvine and directed and choreographed by Tom Mullen, plays at the Royal George Cabaret Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted Street in Chicago, through December 12, 2010. Tickets are $35-45 and may be purchased through www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-982-2787.

Photos, from top:  Erik Kaiko, Dan Beno and Jay W. Cullen; Devin Archer, Erik Kaiko, Dan Beno and Jay W. Cullen; Dan Beno, Jay W. Cullen, Andrea Larson, Erik Kaiko and Devin Archer

Photo credit: Jay Kennedy