The Fourth Messenger

I loved this production! I found it musically exciting, and the premise was very powerful: what if the Buddha were born as a 20^th c. woman? It’s hard to handle spiritual and religious subjects without being too saccharine, and this musical strikes just the right notes of humor, skepticism, poignancy, and genuine spirituality. As a long time Buddhist, I was also impressed with the accuracy of the teachings in the production. A particular thumbs-​up to the scenes in the retreat center, which had me on the floor, first with laughter and then with tears. I saw a pre-​opening performance, and the ending was the only part that felt a little too pat to me, but don’t let that keep you from going… I’m sure they’ve gotten feedback from others too, and will be continuing to refine it during the run. Just really great!

This new musical, with book and lyrics by Tanya Shaffer and music and lyrics by Vienna Teng is quite impressive for a new production opening in a small, local venue. Of course, with a talent as adept as Ms. Teng’s my expectations were rather high, but I was not disappointed.
The story by Tanya Shaffer is well-​crafted, contemporary and relevant, and the realization is this debut small budget production is pulled off well, leaving one with the impression that the musical has legs, and could scale up to even Broadway standards given the requisite budget. Teng’s compositions are up to her standards, the lyrics throughout work, and develop the story without feeling contrived. The integration of humor is mostly successful.
This production at the Ashby Stage in Berkeley and directed by Matt August is realized simply but effectively. A lot of cast members are doubling roles, but the production does have a quite competent live pit band, albeit up in the loft, and the blocking and lighting are well thought out and executed.
The cast is perhaps only slightly hindered by the limited local market, but their voices are strong, and pleasingly on key, and their acting ranges from the passable to the quite good. While the wardrobe is pedestrian, it fits the bill, especially at this level of production.
This is a well-​written, composed and produced musical, and it is well worth the low price of entry for this premier production of what may well become a critically acclaimed new musical.