Snapshots – A musical Scrapbook    

Playing until November 8 at Studio 1398 on Granville Island is Snapshots – a Musical Scrapbook.  This is an original musical theatre piece that draws on the work a single composer/lyricist.  The dramatic framework involves a husband and wife on the verge of separating.  They are in their attic looking over a variety of objects and photographs that trigger memories of the events that shaped their relationship over the years.

In the process the couple Dan and Sue meet with and interact with themselves at earlier stages of their lives.  We see their relationship form as children and young adults – Danny and Susie.  Then we meet Daniel and Susan who eventually marry.  In all, we have six actors who portray the couple as the action moves forward in time (as well as a handful of other characters who move in and out of their story). 

This framing device works very well.  The songs are made to fit the progress of the show and impressive performances by every member of the cast made it a production worth seeing – but one that is ultimately unsatisfying.

The composer/lyricist in question is Stephen Schwartz and I would not place him in the first rank of composers for the musical theatre.  He does have to his credit a few memorable and beautiful songs, but his repertoire is simply not extensive and diverse enough to support this kind of show.  Too many of the songs presented sounded just like the previous one.

This excellent framing device is ultimately wasted on Schwartz’s work.  But it could easily be adapted, with very little change, to the body of work of a number theatrical composers.  One hopes that the book may one day find itself showcasing the music of a more worthy creator.