People (like me) with unhealthy theater addictions are occasionally rewarded for their willingness to let talented artists take them somewhere unique, fascinatingly creative and wholly original. In the Green is a new musical written by and starring Grace McLean. I’ve seen and loved her work in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, this season’s Alice by Heart and the simply awesome (and why didn’t it run forever) Bedbugs!!! In her new show, she takes us on a powerfully feminist musical journey based on the true story of Hildegard von Bingen.
Hildegard is one of medieval history’s most creative figures. As a composer, she wrote Ordo Virtutum, an early example of liturgical drama and probably the oldest surviving morality play. She also wrote texts about theology, botany and medicine. She is credited with liturgical songs and poems. At the age of 42, she was commanded by a presence called The Living Light to write down her visions. Pope Eugenius III (proclaimed the Second Crusade; later became a saint) heard about her writings and approved of them giving her instant credence. That support from the church is likely the reason so much of her works still survive.
In the Green mostly occurs prior to this prolific output. When Hildegard was 8 years old, she was given to the Catholic Church as a tithe or a sacrifice. She was the tenth child of a noble German family who may have done so as political positioning. She was assigned as a handmaid to Jutta von Sponheim, a noblewoman who became an anchoress, someone who withdraws from society for religious reasons. Jutta took her last rites and locked herself in a cell connected to an abbey church living as a dead person to the outside world. Young Hildegard was locked away with her until Jutta died thirty years later.
Ms. McLean has taken this fascinating history and crafted a powerfully commanding chamber-like show. In the Green is a psychological dissection of the relationship between these two women. The self-exile of Jutta takes place from 1106 to 1136. Imagine what it was like to be a woman living during the Middle Ages. In the Green confidently proclaims its worldview by demonstrating “this is how you gain control.”
Flooded with superlative creative flourishes, this musical soars. The piece is indeed religious and somber but Ms. Mc Lean brings a snarky edge to her book and portrayal of Jutta that surprises and gives the show a sharp edge. This woman locked herself up for thirty years pretending to be dead. She sees the way: “if you kill your every care, your burden will be less to bear.”
Rachel Duddy, Ashley Perez Flanagan, Mia Pak and Hannah Whitney are ideal partners playing multiple roles. The harmonies are difficult and beautifully executed. While there is a feeling of medieval to these songs in their dissonance, the use of a loop machine to Ms. McLean’s voice adds texture and a modern touch to her moody and introspective songs.
Director Lee Sunday Evans orchestrated a team of first rate contributions for this uniquely quiet and boldly theatrical musical. Kristen Robinson’s set design rotates to reveal the inner world where two women will bond and where Hildegard will finally emerge. Barbara Samuels’ lighting design is fascinating in its use of shadows. The sound design by Nicholas Pope enables the loop idea and disparate harmonies to join in an exultation that is both religious and angry.
In the Green is not a show for everyone and two people skedaddled in the middle of this ninety minute performance. For fans of abundantly imaginative stagings that serve to beautifully enhance a story, this is an infinitely rewarding visual and auditory delight. For fans of the medieval era, this musical is a thoughtful slice of history with a unique perspective.
The story of Jutta and the emergence of the brilliant Hildegard is a radically feminist one. A note in the program states that Ms. McLean was “interested in remembering and celebrating this extraordinary woman, and in doing so I want to knock her off her saintly pedestal in order to recognize her humanity.” This tale about women making their way through a world that is hostile to them should seem less relevant today. In addition to its masterful staging, In the Green is also lightly commenting on the incomplete progression of women in our societal era. This largely female creative team and cast have truly given us something special that is worthy of the ladies commemorated so memorably in this show.