My overall impression
Fringe festivals tend to skew towards the youthful end of the theater-going spectrum, for a lot of reasons – experimental material, anything-goes dialog, and low ticket prices, to name just a few. Nothing wrong with that – but it’s nice to run across a fringe production that caters to more conventional theatrical sensibilities from time to time.
“Mary Of The Avenue” is a traditional “book” musical set amongst New York City’s homeless community. Granted, that’s not particularly attractive fodder for a light and frothy evening at the theater. But it is laced with the kind of pathos and recurring crises that provide a sturdy foundation for a good story.
Mary is a middle-aged woman of the streets, living on her wits, and out of a shopping bag. She and her down-and-out cohorts are not particularly happy with their lots in life, but try to maintain their balance through mutual support – and a whistling-past-the-graveyard sense of humor.
Into this scruffy mix comes a corn-fed twenty-something in search of the mother who left her years ago. Aided by an ambitious TV reporter, she convinces herself that Mary is her long sought-after missing person. But Mary can’t (or won’t) agree. Is she or isn’t she? Only time will tell.
Mary Ellen Gridley anchors the production with grace and earthy charm, augmented by a polished alto voice. The street people swirl around her in whimsical production numbers set to tuneful melodies with wry lyrics and energetic choreography.
All-in-all, an engaging experience, regardless of your age or theatrical preferences.