Almost Famous - A.C.T. of Connecticut

The Broadway musical of Almost Famous, based on the 2000 movie of the same name, flopped on Broadway, running only 77 performances.  Fast forward a few years, and the creative team of Cameron Crowe (who wrote and directed the film and, for the musical, the book and lyrics), and Tom Kitt (the score) came to A.C.T. in Connecticut to help them revise the show.  The result, under the skillful direction of Daniel C. Levine, is a leaner, more structured first act, but a second act, which is still in need of some work.

The cast of Almost Famous at A.C.T. of Connecticut.  Photo by Jeff Butchen.

 

The story, loosely based on Cameron Crowe’s life, is a coming-of-age story, a tale of an outsider trying to fit in.  The character William Miller, played with charm, naïveté, and a dash of spunk by Michael Fabisch, is a fifteen-year-old would-be rock journalist.   His big break is an assignment by Rolling Stone magazine to write a piece on the up-and-coming band Stillwater as they tour the United States.  Before the tour, he befriends the legendary Penny Lane, a laid-back groupie who has seen it all and done it all.  Once on the road, the young writer attempts to get his story, but is continually put off by, primarily, lead guitarist Russell Hammond.  During the multi-city travels, Miller’s mother harps on him from afar, as the high school student learns valuable life lessons, matters of loyalty, friendship, and romance.

Michael Fabisch in Almost Famous at A.C.T. of Connecticut.  Photo by Jeff Butchen.

In Act I, all the components of the musical come together in a frenetic whirlwind of harmonious action.  Levine utilizes members of the cast as a type of Greek chorus surrounding the skirmishes and conflicts on stage.  They bring an urgency and commentary to the rock milieu.  The streamlined plot and quick pacing, embellished by Charlie Morrison’s pulsating Lighting Design and Camilla Tassi’s vivid Projection Design, generate a well-balanced completeness to the first part of the show.  There is also an emotional viability to the Act.

Chris Marth, Chris Cherin, and Jack Rasmussen in Almost Famous at A.C.T. of Connecticut.  Photo by Jeff Butchen.

The problem in Act II is a sense of focus.  The character of Penny Lane becomes more prominent.  The power struggle within the band, their squabbling, and reconciliation, while essential to the story, minimizes the plight of William Miller.  The young lad’s mother, Elaine, played with a toughness and protective mindset, by Anika Larsen also receives more stage time.  The effective layering of the musical’s various components, demonstrated in Act I, are less clear in the latter half of the show.   Also, the moment when William is seduced by the three young female groupies is somewhat overt.  The kid is only fifteen.  Maybe a more suggestive, rather than explicit scene would have been more appropriate.

Michael Fabisch and Tess Marshall in  Almost Famous at A.C.T. of Connecticut.  Photo by Jeff Butchen.

Tom Kitt’s score, augmented by songs from Joni Mitchell, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple, is a mixture of energetic power numbers (the opening “1973”), folk and country rock (“Everybody’s Coming Together,” “Ramble On”), and wistful ballads (“Morocco”).  Taken as a whole, the songs represent a rich tapestry and backdrop to the story of a teenager’s entry into the world of rock ‘n roll.  The songs are augmented by a cohesive, high-energy, larger-than-normal-sized band under Nicholas Connors’ first-rate Musical Direction.

The cast of Almost Famous at A.C.T. of Connecticut.  Photo by Jeff Butchen.

The cast is led by Michael Fabisch as William Miller.  Even though he is a 2024 graduate of The University of Michigan’s musical theater program, the actor easily passes for a teen of fifteen.  He effectively displays a demeanor of innocence and resilience, successfully anchoring the show.  Jack Rasmussen exudes charisma and a somewhat rocker’s mystic in his performance as Stillwater’s lead guitarist Russell Hammond.   The actor smoothly moves from introspection to rowdy partier.  Chris Cherin suitably imbues Stillwater lead singer Jeff Bebe with throaty baying and swaggering deportment.  Tess Marshall appealingly embodies Penny Lane with a coquettish presence, but also an undercurrent of disillusionment and world-weariness.  In the role of Elaine Miller, Anika Larsen initially comes across as a one-dimensional, overbearing motherly figure.  However, by the beginning of Act II, with her melancholy “Elaine’s Lecture,” the actress’s performance becomes more rounded and sympathetic.

 

 Almost Famous, playing at A.C.T. of Connecticut through November 23.  Click here for dates, times, and ticket information.