From left to right: Courtney Miller, Ashly Will, and April Garoutte play sisters the Greek Fates in Big Britches Productions "String," which premiered at the Bingen Theater on July 31. Sean Avery photo.
From left to right: Courtney Miller, Ashly Will, and April Garoutte play sisters the Greek Fates in Big Britches Productions "String," which premiered at the Bingen Theater on July 31. Sean Avery photo.
From left to right: Nathan Rousseau, Marcos Galvez, Matt Coughlin, Mike Daly, and Emily Vawter perform a scene from "String." Ed Price photo.
April Garoutte belts a solo as 'Atropos.' Ed Price photo.
Matt Coughlin and April Garoutte. Ed Price photo.
Courtney Miller and Ashly Will as Greek Fates Clotho and Lachesis. Sean Avery photo.
From left to right: April Garoutte, Courtney Miller, and Ashly Will. Sean Avery photo.
The ensemble from "String" performs a number. Ed Price photo.
Matt Coughlin and April Garoutte. Sean Avery photo.
BINGEN — If there’s one thing I’ve come to expect from Big Britches Productions (BPP), resident theater company at the Bingen Theater, it’s exposure to hidden gems. If there’s another, it’s that the non-profit will handle each relatively unknown script with the utmost care, delivering quality shows time and time again across a myriad of theatrical genres.
With “String,” a musical based on a book by Sarah Hammond and featuring songs by Adam Gwon, BBP again meets its sky-high standards. Directed by Joe Garoutte, the show offers an emotionally rich, orchestra-backed experience with inventive mythos, celebrating the complexities and wonders of flawed, mundane humanity — a classic love story woven into a cosmic tapestry.
Starring BBP co-owner and artistic director April Garoutte alongside returning lead Matt Coughlin, “String” premiered at the Bingen Theater on July 31 and will run for three weekends.
The musical made its world premiere in 2018 at the Village Theatre in Issaquah, Washington, followed by a run at the Everett Performing Arts Center. April Garoutte said her introduction to the show came via her streaming algorithm, which is mostly composed of showtunes.
Though information was difficult to come by initially, what she heard and saw, she adored, eventually convincing her husband Joe to put on their own iteration at BBP.
The story is a modern-day twist on the Greek Fates, Atropos, Lachesis, and Clotho (April Garoutte, Ashly Will, and Courtney Miller): sisters and goddesses — excommunicated to the human world by Zeus (Nathan Rousseau) — who control the destiny and lifespan of every being by spinning, measuring, and cutting string. When the cold and brooding Atropos, the eldest sister, sparks a curious romance with security officer Mickey (Coughlin), she’s torn between two worlds, at risk of disrupting the universe’s natural order.
Between acting and singing on-stage, planning costumes, and fleshing out scenic design, April Garoutte had a tall order in front of her at the show’s helm — “overwhelming at times, but incredibly worth it,” she said. “Being on stage is my love; it’s my favorite thing.”
Her balancing act proves successful, realizing the dark and committed Atropos with elegance, as she’s cracked open and exposed to the vulnerable beauty of love and mortal life. Her excellent vocal performance and chemical dynamic with co-lead Coughlin truly inspire.
Coughlin is drop-dead fantastic as adorable dork Mickey, performing hilarious banter, physical comedy, and emotional beats, while belting out the show’s most memorable songs with veteran grace.
Miller shines as the bright, bubbly, and candy-loving Clotho, whose childlike mannerisms match her bright pink tutu, while Will impresses as her polar opposite, the mischievous and rebellious Lachesis. The duo’s dynamic provides a healthy dose of comedic relief and peppy musical numbers.
The show’s large ensemble, donning brightly covered office wear, dances and weaves its way across the stage, perfectly complementing the leads during numbers — all of which are accompanied by a live orchestra led by music director Dan Kenealy.
Kenealy and players, including many strings, piano, and a bass guitar, succeed in their control and timing — a difficult ask, April Garoutte said, because of their orientation above and facing away from the stage. “There was no question we were going to have live music because it makes such a difference. I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anybody but Dan; that man deserves all the medals in the world.”
The humongous, multi-level set, reminiscent of an ancient Greek temple, was created with nothing to reference, and excels at capturing the mythic scope of the story.
April Garoutte hopes audiences leave the theater feeling uplifted, maybe holding their loved ones just a little closer. “They can expect laughter, tears, and everything in between.”
“String” closes on Aug. 15. Tickets are available atbigbrithces.org
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