Milch

What I liked

The pre-show musicians were a fun addition to set the scene for the world we were entering. Lauren Faulkner as “Madame” carried the show comedically and musically. Her opening song set a high standard for the quality of the show; it was disappointing that the rest of the cast couldn’t meet that expectation. Kayla Ayler-McCormick portrayed “Custard” with an earnest care for her coworkers and believable desire for a better life, but her greenness as an actor was still very clear. She also has apparent natural vocal talent, but needs much more technical training to handle the demands of the role. I think with more time and training, she has potential to be a great leading lady; she’s just not quite there yet. The costumes, hair, and makeup were very well designed and executed. They were probably the strongest element of the show. The choreography was also fun and unique, especially exhibited in the large group numbers and with the shadow gags.

What I didn't like

The biggest issue with the production was that it was wildly under-rehearsed. This was an ambitious undertaking for the time restrictions of fringe, but I fear the team did not rise to the occasion. The technical transitions were sloppy, it felt like the lead actors were still reaching to find the lines in their minds, and there were several instances where multiple performers fully forgot the lyrics of group songs. The sound and lighting design were borderline painful at times. The music was way too quiet, which left the performers struggling to stay on time and on key, and gave the theatre an awkward ambience (or lack thereof). The lighting was far too dark and sporadically placed in most scenes, illuminating background interactions while leaving the lead actors in the dark. This is not entirely on the lighting team- more experienced performers would know how to find their light- but it seemed they were more concerned with abstract creative expression than functionally lighting the scenes. Now, the casting was… confusing. Almost nobody in the cast could carry a tune. The simpler group songs sounded alright as the few who COULD sing projected and kept the rest on track, but when left to their own devices, most of the performers fell flat- no pun intended (or maybe it was). The venue was not ideal for this type of show; it really demands a real stage and more separation from the audience, rather than the intimacy of a black box. There might not have been a way around this for Fringe, but the statement stands. If the show is to be put on again, the production should aim to find a more suitable venue.

My overall impression

A tryptophan-induced fever dream for the ages, MILCH is a funny, campy, and surprisingly poignant exploration of perils of the underground sex work industry. The script and score have potential to become a cult-favorite alternative musical in the hands of more experienced directors, performers, and techs. Unfortunately, this production left much to be desired. It read like a small-town-high-school-student-led theatre club that took on too big a project for their resources and experience.