The Cave: A Folk Opera

My overall impression

There’s tremendous talent in both the material and performance of this show, even if it doesn’t jell as a story. The songwriting (probably a more accurate term despite the operatic approach) is often evocative and mesmerizing, and Bianca Gisselle’s voice grabs you from the get-go. The show’s atmosphere, utterly committed cast, and ambitious scope IMO make it worth the price of admission. That said, the relationship of music to story is often tenuous, and it’s difficult to interpret what’s happening onstage or discern the rules of the world in which the story takes place. There are a few powerful moments that give you a sense of what this production could be, and hopefully will be after some critical attention to book and lyrics.