Written and directed by celebrated playwright Conor McPherson and featuring Tony Award-winning orchestrations by Simon Hale, GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY reimagines 20 legendary songs of Bob Dylan as they’ve never been heard before, including "Forever Young," "All Along The Watchtower," "Hurricane," "Slow Train Coming," and "Like A Rolling Stone."
It’s 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota. We meet a group of wayward travelers whose lives intersect in a guesthouse filled with music, life and hope. Experience this "profoundly beautiful" production (The New York Times) brought to vivid life by an extraordinary company of actors and musicians.
One of the most captivating voices on stage was that of Matt Manuel as Joe Scott, whose vocal runs were clear, smooth, and chill-inducing in “Slow Train” and others. Kelly McCormick was a delight in her understudy role as Elizabeth Laine, delivering much-needed comic relief and also beautifully poignant soliloquies and gripping vocal displays. Aidan Wharton as Elias Burke really shows off his vocal range and metered vibrato in “Duquesne Whistle.” Swing Rayla Garske absolutely shone as Mrs. Nielsen, with both fun and gorgeous vocal stylings in “Went to See the Gypsy,” to a more haunting experience in the show’s finale, “Pressing On.”
Girl From The North Country features a brilliant cast that truly bring their own unique voices to many well-known Bob Dylan classics. The story takes place in the boarding house owned by Nick Laine (played by John Schiappa) who is deeply troubled but trying his best to take care of those he loves. His wife (Elizabeth Laine) is played by Jennifer Blood who has a fantastic voice but has a take on dementia that unfortunately came across as harsh and somewhat cartoonish. The cast that stood out the most are Sharaé Moultrie (who plays a gentle yet firm Marianne Laine), Matt Manuel (who played ex-convict Joe Scott with gentleness and earnest) and David Benoit (Mr. Burke) with Jill Van Velzer (Mrs. Burke) who in addition to acting and singing, also played the drums. In fact, many of the musicans were integrated into the cast which is always fun to watch as they become part of the scenery.
2017 | West End |
Original West End Production West End |
2017 | West End |
West End Transfer Production West End |
2018 | Off-Broadway |
Public Theater North American Premiere Off-Broadway |
2019 | West End |
West End Return Engagement West End |
2022 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
2023 | US Tour |
North American Tour US Tour |
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