Mud Donahue and Son: A really good show, but...

I almost feel weird reviewing Mud Donahue and Son since I feel like it was a good show, but...just wasn't really for me. I don't want to be so quick to say it's for an older generation, as I love many shows that others might think are for an older generation, but between the fact that the average age of the audience appeared to be 60, the fact that the show is based on a old Vaudeville entertainer that I never heard of, and most importantly, the fact that the show is essentially a bunch of letters between Jack Donahue and his mother, Mud. I just don't think I was able to sit still so long while essentially being told a story, with hardly any actual action on the stage.

Jack Donahue (Shonn Wiley) is discovered in Manchester, and gets a job touring on a small Vaudeville circuit. This doesn't thrill his mother, Mud (Karen Murphy) who thinks he should stay at home and have a real job. The whole show consists of letters, apparently taken from letters between the real Jack Donahue and his mother. Jack promises to send his mother $5 a week, but each week, he always has a reason not to. Things aren't easy as home, as Jack's constantly-drinking father has disappeared again, and Mud cannot rely on his salary to support the family. As Jack stays longer on tour, he becomes less and less like the good wholesome boy he once was. He becomes quite materialistic, spending the money he said he would spent on Mud on girls and new, expensive shoes. Eventually, he starts to drink just like his father. This begins to affect his performances, and his relationship with his mother.

The story on its own is fairly compelling. It is interesting to watch the early days of Vaudeville, and how a boy changes as he leaves his town to go out into "show business," and what it does to him. Again, it's just the fact that most of the story is told through their letters is frustrating. Moments that are the exception to that are pretty much the best moments of the show: Jack's performances, a flasback Mud has to when their furniture was taken away, and how she told Jack they were gonna have a picnic, and the end, when the two characters are finally face-to-face. The songs work well in the context of the story, but the problem is, there isn't any action for the songs to interrupt, so my enjoyment of most of the songs, as well,

The most enjoyable part of the show was watching truly great performances. Karen Murphy conveys Mud's pain, lands both humor and tender moments, and has a beautiful voice. Shonn Wiley is at his best when he's dancing, and he is a true master at that. A scene where he is on the stage alone, though in the scene with 4 other people is one of his best moments, and he essentially beats up himself. His movement and flexibility in this scene are simply outstanding.

The audience really enjoyed the show. And I can't find too many flaws in the story or piece itself. Maybe this piece is aimed at a particular audience. Maybe it just wasn't for me.