World premiere of haunting musical allegory at Wilbury

Theatre Review by Don Fowler
Posted 5/31/23

Darcie Dennigan’s haunting “Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight”, with music by Niki Healy, is getting its world premiere at the Wilbury Theatre Group.

The musical allegory about …

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World premiere of haunting musical allegory at Wilbury

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Darcie Dennigan’s haunting “Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight”, with music by Niki Healy, is getting its world premiere at the Wilbury Theatre Group.

The musical allegory about the life and work of Baroque painter, Artimisia Genfileschi, who was raped by a family friend at age 17, is told through a series of engaging songs and large displays of her works.

As you enter the theatre for this one-act, one hour production, you are given a pair of Groucho glasses and join a handful of black suited “Volunteer Men’s Chorus Members” also wearing the glasses.

The lights dim and we are introduced to four women (Jennifer Mischley, Sophie Appel, Beth Alianiello, and Daraja Hinds) who sing the tale of Artemisia and her difficulty in verifying her story.

The women tell of arranged marriages, spousal abuse, and other atrocities, eventually rebelling and seeking vengeance.

A narrator, along with the song lyrics, fill in the spaces and the men in the audience are reassured that despite the nasty, abusive men portrayed in the story, there are some “nice guys”.

“Good night, Sweetheart, Goodnight” moves quickly and efficiently around the theatre space, keeping the scattered audience on their toes. 

Backed by four musicians and male actors who are recipients of their rage, the Four (Not Six-That’s another musical tale), are all excellent singer/actors who make this play work under the capable direction of Josh Short.

The significance of Groucho glasses? I’ll leave that up to you.

“Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight” is at The Wilbury Group through June 11. Call 400-7100 or go on line at Wilbury grou.com. The theatre is located in the Waterfire Center on Valley St. in Providence.

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