By Jessica Neu
No matter our age, occupation, personal relationships, or where we currently live, I feel like we have all, at one point or another, thought about the “what if.” What if we had gone somewhere on a different day, not gone there at all, choose one partner over another, and never met someone? How would our life be different? Would it be better or worse? Do we live each day with regret, tenacious hope for the future, or perhaps both? Do we believe in fate, happenstance, coincidence, or are we in control of our destiny?
The idea that each individual, at least at some point in their life, grapples with these questions makes the musical If/Then intriguing. Libretto by Brian Yorkey and theatrical score by Tom Kitt, If/Then opened on Broadway in 2014 and enjoyed a marginally successful run before closing in 2015. Running for two weekends at Riverfront Theater Company, If/Then tells the story of Elizabeth (Kate Aiello), who, at 38, moves from Phoenix back to New York City to begin anew after a recent divorce. She ventures to a park to meet up with an old college friend/flame, Lucas (Mike Good), and also sees her new neighbor, Katie (Amanda Anne Leight), with whom she quickly becomes acquainted. At this point, Elizabeth’s journey can take two different paths. Should she go to a street demonstration with Lucas, who refers to her as Beth, or go out with her new friend, Kate, who thinks Elizabeth should adopt a new identity with the nickname Liz?
Image courtsey River Front Theater Company
Liz’s journey also involves getting to know a potential new love interest, Josh (Sam Brooks), whom she met in the park. If/Then provides us with an opportunity to see something we will never experience in our own lives—to see how our lives would unfold if we took both roads.
The plot unfolds from there as we experience life with Beth and Liz.
The plot is a bit disjointed, but the actors do a phenomenal job of overcoming plot holes and uniting for a cohesive performance. It can sometimes be challenging to decipher whether we are watching Liz’s or Beth’s life, but subtle costume details and blocking (Dana Schulte) help alleviate confusion. Under the direction of Olivia Hartle, Riverfront Theater Company tackles an intricate story with a Sondheim-esque libretto like true professionals. The space at RTC lends itself nicely to the production as If/Then traditionally has a sparse set (Bill Jacka). A significant obstacle for RTC was incorporating the large orchestra, which they did beautifully as the musicians played behind the stage, hidden by a cleverly designed set; the actors maintained a timing by seeing the music director (Michael Meketa Sanchez) on two different monitors positioned on either side of the stage.
If/Then poses unique challenges to both a professional production and an above-average community theater production as Elizabeth’s role was written specifically for Idina Menzel. Aiello filled the role with ease and displayed Menzel’s tone and pitch characteristics, but she made the role her own. Aiello’s voice soars as Elizabeth, and she is matched in talent and poise by Good, Leight, and Brooks. The comedic lines are hilarious and had the audience laughing out loud while the emotional toll of songs like “The Moment Explodes” and “What Would You Do?” linger until the final curtain call. Numbers such as “A Map of New York” remind us who we connect with and under what circumstances is truly incredible, while songs like “What the F***?” are witty and relatable and make the characters feel like close confidants.
If/Then will make you laugh, possibly make you cry, but it will make you think. We all have that what if. We all, consciously or unconsciously, make decisions every day. Some have a minor impact, while others impact the rest of our lives. I experienced if/then less than 24 hours before a job interview for a new position that, if I get it, will change the course of my life and my children’s. I can trace this opportunity to get a promotion back to a choice I made nearly two decades ago. What would my life be today had I chosen differently in that moment all those years ago? I’ll never know, but If/Then brings forth the notion that sometimes knowing your fate does not make your life better, but enjoying the magical connections every day and not “wasting any more time,” are the true joys of life.
TICKETS AND DETAILS
If/Then at the Riverfront Theater Company in Aspinswall has performances March 14-16 & 21-23, 2024, at 8:00 pm. Tickets at https://riverfront-theater-company.ticketleap.com/rtc-presents—ifthen/
Categories: Arts and Ideas, Reviews
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