Cello adds depth to Varon’s latest narrative
The storyteller is a master of the craft, subsuming himself in the persona of his protagonist; switching pace, tone and character as the tale demands; building his narrative with canny twists and mounting intensity.
Charlie Varon and Joan Jeanrenaud’s “Second Time Around: A Duet for Cello and Storyteller,” which opened Saturday, March 19, at the Marsh, is both a bracing, good story and the kind of adventurous experiment that takes very practiced, collaborative performers to pull off.
Varon has been creating terrific, not to mention hilarious, mostly solo shows at the Marsh for 25 years, from “Rush Limbaugh in Night School” and “The People’s Violin” through “Rabbi Sam” and others.
Named after a Duke Ellington number — which plays a small part in the tale — “Second” combines a World War II combat story with a contemporary generation clash, spiced with some senior sexual yearnings and familial regrets.
Jeanrenaud’s sonorous cello sets up a contemplative, borderline elegiac mood, as Varon’s crusty, conflicted Ben tries to sort out his feelings about doing the interview — and how he feels about this kid who hasn’t been able to look him in the eye — while Seth is fumbling with a digital video recorder he doesn’t know how to use.
By the time Seth is ready, and asks Ben to repeat what he’s said so far, Ben is torn between a strong desire to help, contempt for the spoiled youth, reticence and a desire to record his story for posterity, especially his real and prospective grandchildren, if he ever has a close relationship with any of them.
Political issues arise, ranging from the urgency of fighting climate change to illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
[...] Time Around: