From Dylan to Drama: Girl from the North Country - by Amélie Tonoyan

 Amélie Tonoyan

Girl from the North Country

From Dylan to Drama: Girl from the North Country

Seated in the elegant Orpheum Theatre on October 10th, I was captivated by the narrative of Girl from the North Country, which seemed perfectly complemented by its Minnesota setting. It was a delightful discovery, albeit belated, as I had regrettably not been familiar with this musical before.The music (all by Bob Dylan) in this performance exists independently of the plot, in a manner reminiscent of "Mamma Mia," while the story (by Conor McPherson) takes place during the Great Depression. In order to guarantee his daughter's future, Nick Lane, a man who is about to lose his home, resorts to renting out rooms and arranging her marriage.

I had a rush of exhilaration as the music started to permeate the room. Elegant instrumentation expertly brought Bob Dylan's moving songs and lyrics to life. I was enthralled by the captivating charm with which the onstage pit orchestra and actors performed their instruments. Without a question, the production's transforming heart—what took it from good to extraordinary—was the music.

The ambiance of the performance exuded a play-like quality, but the music's entrance reshaped the entire experience. The cast and ensemble not only did justice to the music but also elevated it to an inspiring and life-enriching level. Every step taken by the ensemble drew the audience deeper into the narrative, and every harmonious note resonated profoundly with me. This show demonstrated the profound beauty of music and then seamlessly integrated the cast to make it even more remarkable. The ensemble was a director's and producer's dream, with each member staying true to their character, creating an ensemble without a single weak link.

Unfortunately, attending Girl from the North Country had an apparent flaw: the persistent issue of muffled character dialogues paired with the already confusing plot. Given their extensive resources, one would expect they could find a solution, yet the large size of the theater offers a considerable obstacle in terms of sound. 

On a brighter note, the Minnesota setting of Girl from the North Country gave the audience an additional dimension of enjoyment and connection. The humor and Minnesota-related references struck a chord with me and a large portion of the audience, (as Minnesota isn’t often a common setting in theater) creating a sense of shared experience and an enhanced sense of pleasure. Regional references and local jokes created a special relationship that made the performance more interesting and approachable.

Girl from the North Country is a musical that expertly fuses a gripping - even if oftentimes challenging to understand - story with the beautiful melodies of Bob Dylan. It succeeds in connecting with the audience despite a few hitches thanks to its regional flair and, ultimately, the charm of live performance.