Remember the Age of Aquarius? The Great Beyond Company and the Hudson Theatre proudly tip their hat to that iconic era as they present a world premiere musical, ADVENTURES OF THE GREAT BEYOND, six decades later. A pop-rock musical combining themes of reincarnation, karma, meditation, and life in the ashram, the musical is the result of a collaboration between book writer and lyricist Tom Chiodo and music composer Joe Nedder. ADVENTURES IN THE GREAT BEYOND blends a host of unique and creative perspectives with 13 original songs and a live band.
Connie Jackson – Photo courtesy of The Great Beyond Company
Twenty-year-old Virginia (Queenie Navarro) has dropped out of college to pursue new age philosophy in an ashram led by gregarious guru Kirshnamarti (Steven Wishnoff) and a band of devoted followers including Sam (Michael Deni), Luke (Ryan Foreman), Mattie (Katherine Heflin), and Marcia (Kim Taleas). Our young soul-searcher soon finds herself in the middle of the Arizona desert communing with cacti and her inner self. An ode to young love soon develops between Virginia and Sam as they duet their way to affection. When Virginia’s mother (Connie Monroe) arrives at the ashram all set to talk some sense into her wayward daughter, things quickly begin to heat up in the romance department. Meanwhile, Blu (Connie Jackson), a local resident and friend to all, quietly observes the karma develop before her eyes. The beginning is the end – and vice versa – in keeping with the meditative philosophy on display.
Michael Deni and Queenie Navarro – Photo courtesy of The Great Beyond Company
Lyricist Tom Chiodo doubles as director, while ADVENTURES partner Joe Nedder serves as musical director. The two present the musical with attention to mysticism and self-realization. Production designer Bryon Renison’s simple stage is cleverly adaptable, and Katherine Heflin’s costumes are striking and appropriate. The Golden Buddha certainly deserved kudos. The band includes Joe Nedder (piano), Jacob Abraham (guitar), and Joe Kattampallil (drums). Perhaps the outstanding vocalist of the evening was Connie Jackson, who really knows how to belt a tune.
Ensemble Cast of ADVENTURES IN THE GREAT BEYOND – Photo courtesy of The Great Beyond Company
But the ultimate surprise occurred at the end of the show as the ensemble cast were taking their deserved bows. Guitarist Abraham slipped out from behind the curtains, knelt down on one knee, and proposed to cast member Katherine Heflin as he put a ring on her willing finger. ADVENTURES IN THE GREAT BEYOND achieved a karmic – and very emotional – ending to a mystical evening. I doubt that anything could have made a more lasting impression on the audience.
Ensemble Cast – Photo courtesy of The Great Beyond Company
ADVENTURES IN THE GREAT BEYOND runs through December 8, 2024, with performances at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. on Sundays. The Hudson Mainstage Theatre is located at 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034 Tickets are $45 ($20 students, seniors, industry with Promo Code 225). For information and reservations, go online.
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