CROSSxROADS (Chapel off Chapel) – theatre review

A superb musical score and the rich, strong and pure voice of Alinta Chidzey (Show Boat, Singin’ In The Rain, Chess, West Side Story) make the world premiere of this new Australian musical one not to be missed. CROSSxROADS is a story of love and loss with more than a touch of Sliding Doors (the 1998 movie featuring Gwyneth Paltrow) about it. In case you missed it, that presented alternative perspectives on a given situation. Music and lyrics are by Anthony Costanzo and book by Green Room Award winner Peter Fitzpatrick (flowerchildren: the Mamas and Papas Story).

The story starts at university graduation in December 1999 and finishes on or around 1st July, 2010. It is just before the turn of the century that a highly motivated and brilliant student who believes she can change the world, Amy (Chidzey), first meets a young ladies’ man Rick (Stephen Mahy – Jersey Boys, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Follies, Miss Saigon), who is immediately sweet on her. Both 21 years of age, she is due to celebrate the completion of her undergraduate degree with her best friend Hannah (Fem Belling – television’s The Voice 2015). He and his best mate Mark “Barrel” Cooper (Joe Kosky – Jersey Boys) are to tie a few on.

First though, Rick is trying to lure Amy to “the dark side”, where tradition has it that graduates paint a statue on campus green. She succumbs, but the consequences of that encounter aren’t exactly favourable. Soon thereafter she sets off for Germany, where she plans to continue her studies. Then, over the next 10 plus years, Rick and Amy’s lives continue to intersect and collide. Clearly they care for one another and care deeply but circumstances and opportunities, differing goals and selfishness get in the way. Meanwhile Hannah and Barrel – who at first Hannah is repulsed by – find some common ground.

But this is primarily Amy and Rick’s story. We follow them through her student digs in Berlin, a tent in the desert in Turkey, an accidental reunion at an art gallery, a couple of bars in Melbourne and to Paris. Through it all there is happiness and heartache, drama and pain, death and disaster. One thing is certain, the path to true love for Rick and Amy is far from easy. Both have a lot of growing up to do, especially him.

The story allows for a series of “Sliding Doors” moments, in which scenarios are played one way and then another, and another still. It raises the question “what if?”. In other words, each action or inaction has consequences. It is a clever device that allows for doubt to creep in to what otherwise could have been a relatively straightforward narrative.

As I mentioned, Chidzey has a golden voice and there are a couple of really big numbers that she nails quite spectacularly. Stephen Mahy, too, is excellent as her opposite number Rick, angst riddled and awash with uncertainties about his life. I have only the highest praise for Fem Belling, who knows how to work an audience, has a great sense of comic timing and is powerful vocally. Joe Kosky brings a bearish sensibility to his role as the man-child Barrel. They are ably supported by the ensemble – Bianca Baykara, Bronte Florian, Edward Grey and Ryan Gonzalez.

The set is simple but effective – a few roll-in roll-out seating props and eight large, floor to ceiling, white swathes of cloth – each more than a metre wide – positioned across three rows. Intermittent projections on the front row of this cloth reveal dates, places and other noteworthy material that help propel the story forward. The second act is decidedly darker than the first and introduces a few surprises/shocks.

The music and the lyrics are undoubtedly a highlight of CROSSxROADS, which is not without its lighter, merrier and more comedic interludes. The story moves along at pace and the well-worn saying “there is never a dull moment” comes to mind when reflecting upon the melodrama of this couple’s lives. In short, CROSSxROADS is an engaging triumph and a crowd pleaser.

The first act is 75 minutes, the second 45 and there is a 20-minute interval. It is playing at Chapel off Chapel in Prahran until 30th April (tickets here).

Alex First