Today we consider the 2006 Off-Broadway recording of Bernarda Alba by Michael John LaChiusa. The musical which is based on the play The House of Bernarda Alba, is dark to say the least. As Ira Weitzman says in his liner notes LaChiusa explores the female psyche and tracks a mother’s strict rule and oppression of her household after her second husband’s death and the devastating consequences.
Bernarda Alba is LaChiusa’s latest musical to appear Off-Broadway and ran a limited run of just over a month, not scoring terrific reviews, and unfortunately I have to agree. LaChiusa’s music is dark and sparse with constant repetition that I can only assume was aimed at establishing leitmotifs, but not reaching the mark. However, Michael Starobin, a regular on Broadway credits, produces some remarkable orchestrations. His color choices are truly that of a master artist.
Within the CD one track stood out: One Moorish Girl/The Smallest Stream. This song captures the heart of the show expressing the girls longing and fear, and Bernarda’s anguish. Starobin uses just the right timbres enabling LaChiusa’s music to weave through a haunting dance. Phylicia Rashad as Bernarda sings with the age and weight of a mother and widow, breaking the listener’s heart.
LaChiusa is no stranger to heavy themes however after a foray into happier subjects with his 2003 musical Little Fish which also flopped he is quoted as saying, "My God, they don't want the hard stuff and more challenging material here in this city from me. They don't want something nice and fun, either. What am I supposed to do?" But he continues to press on. In April of 2009 Signature Theater of Virginia premiered a commissioned musical by LaChiusa titled Giant based on Edna Ferber’s novel of the same name. It received mixed reviews. In addition to composing, LaChiusa is an adjunct professor at the Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program at the Tisch School of the Arts.
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