**** Highly Recommended I really enjoyed the Towle Theatre’s concert presentation of Flight, an original musical. A cast of 14, all wearing black, sang the libretto with the accompaniment of a live orchestra. Although they were standing at music stands, they were using their faces and bodies to convey emotion. There was even a tiny bit of choreography. All in all, a really good time. I’m not sure why this little musical hasn’t gotten much exposure, but good news for the Towle. Flight deserves a chance to shine 4 Spotlights
Flight is a story of love, loss and hubris. Flight begins with a love story, the love of Daedalus (Michael Potsic) for his wife. Aedan (Hannah Elless). The birth of a son they named Icarus completes their circle. Aedan loves the sea, so Daedalus builds a boat for her, but the first time they take it out, a storm comes up and just that quickly, Aedan is gone. When Icarus (Derek Carlson) asks about his mother, Daedalus makes up a story involving wings. As he grows, all Icarus wants is wings of his own. When he gets them, well, you know the story.
The cast also includes Julia Hope Budd, Drew Dahan, Kathryn Duncan, Kylie Kite, Allison Rose Macknick, Michael Malloy, Kyle Kite, Julie Potsic, Julian Solis and Stephanie Stockstill.
The orchestra: Stacy Cunningham, Musical Director; Bob Potsic, Bass; Jeff Otto, Piano; and Maddi Vogel, Drums.
In the Q & A after the performance, composer Michael Potsic said he actually started this project when he was in college and worked on it intermittently over the next ten years, but it wasn’t until he became a father that he really understood Daedalus. Flight premiered in 2019 and was a finalist in the 2020 New York Musical Theatre Festival.
Next up for the Towle: a musical called Superhero opens July 18th. Tickets are $24 in advance, $28 at the door. The Towle Theater is located at 5205 Hohman Avenue, Hammond. FYI (219) 937-8780 or https://www.towletheater.org/superhero