My overall impression
It comes as no surprise that finding words, outside of “a Fringe MUST!” to describe the brilliance of The Trouble With Words is difficult at best. The song cycle by Gregory Nabours is a wholly original examination of the everyday words we use. From the connotations of the word “nice” to being tongue-tied, from double entendre to empty promises, each of Nabour’s songs tackles a different issue with words.
Nabour’s original, jazzy songs are funny, heartbreaking, relatable and catchy-as-hell. The tonal change from song to song can, at times, be jarring, but if anything, that is testimony to the emotional depth and performance prowess of the actors in The Trouble With Words.
It is nothing short of a mystery that every star of this show doesn’t have a recording contract. But Julianne Donelle, Josh Eddy, Aimee Karlin, Sarah Phillips, Christopher Roque and Ryan Wagner are more than just a set of musical chops. They also have the ability to honestly convey what’s behind the words they’re singing.
Skilled direction by Patrick Pearson keeps The Trouble With Words from being a concert, and adds another beautiful level to the performance. His touch is evident in each song, helping mold each into its own story within the cycle.
