Sessions

The Peter Jay Sharp Theater

My expectations were met for the new musical Sessions, which I caught in previews last week. Based on the official website, I expected good actors, a decent book, decent music and an entertaining story line.

I think it exceeded my expectations, actually, as I was only aiming for decent. What most impressed me was the thoughtfulness in the story of a psychologist who guides a group through their troubles, each person moving at their own pace. It was both light and heavy, very serious and playful. It walked the difficult line of the way therapy works for us in our lives. And, the questions it asked (and, almost all through song and dance) were good:

• What is the role of a therapist?
• When is therapy over?
• What is the patient supposed to bring to the table in order to be able to work?
• Can a therapist become personally involved with his/her patients?
• How does the rest of a therapist's life influence the way they treat people?
• What is good therapy?
  

There were some especially moving moments where everything worked. The first was late in the play when a woman explains why she can't leave her physically abusive husband. The song was definitely the best in the show. The second was when Leila, the true, sexy temptation the psychologist has to cross the line with a patient, is left in a restaurant when he decides to stay true to his marriage and his career.

The musical was missing that 11th hour song, the one you leave the theater singing. However, given the subject matter and the story line I think it would have been hard to work in. Additionally, this isn't a Broadway musical. It's perfectly suited for where it's at, at the upper end of the Off-Broadway world. It has resources, an intimate staging and an appropriate venue. It's too nuanced for a big stage production.

The casting was appropriate. I was relieved that everyone had as much experience as they did. I was a little disappointed in one or two of the actors. I thought the voices could have been a little bigger or they could have been a little more natural in their parts. I really enjoyed all of the female actors, though and most of the male actors.

The book was really nice. The scoring was a bit off. I love the french horn, but I don't think it was right for this. Or, the parts weren't quite right, at any rate. In general, the supporting orchestration for the words could have been stronger.

This was by no means a waste of time. And, it has commercial appeal especially in New York where not seeing a therapist just isn't normal. It is very palatable. I could think of bringing almost anyone I know to the show, which is perhaps why I liked it as much as I did. I wouldn't say it's the best thing I've seen lately, but I'm glad I saw it. And, I don't think anyone would be sorry they did.

As a side note, I've just noticed that they have made significant changes to their website. It now looks more professional, however the first one they went with was the most fun I've had on a website in awhile. I'm already missing it.