[FIPS Was There…] 'A Man Of No Importance' at the Gallery Players

Pictured (l to r): Charlie Owens, Spencer Robinson, John Weigand, Lorinne Lampert and Julianne Katz in The Gallery Players’ A Man of No Importance. Photo by Bella Muccari.

We here at FIPS spend a hell of a lot of time out and about in Brooklyn, attending outdoor concerts, comedy shows and various other events. So [FIPS Was There...] is where we're gonna' talk about all this shit.

Alfie Byrne could really use an “It’s Get Better” campaign.

After all, it’s Dublin in 1965, and Alfie’s a middle-aged, single bus conductor who’s constantly getting in trouble with his boss. He lives with his sister, who criticizes his cooking at every turn and won’t marry until Alfie’s found a nice girl of his own. Oh, and the production of Oscar Wilde’s Salame that he’s directing at the local church has just been shut down. I mean, regardless of what his sexual orientation is, the man needs to know that things won’t always be this shitty.

Lucky for Alfie, he’s got friends. And just when he’s down at his lowest point, they gather together (albeit in his mind) and perform a “this-is-your-life” musical for the man, as they call him, “of no importance.” By looking at his life through their eyes, Alfie gains the courage to confront his biggest fear – no matter how unhappy his ending might be.

Adapted from the 1994 film of the same name, A Man of No Importance is one of the most unexpected pieces I’ve experienced in the theater for a long time. Much of that is due to the tender book by Terrence McNally (Catch Me if You Can, Ragtime), which is filled with loveable characters, charming wit, and emotional arcs. And not to mention the compelling score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime), which so brilliantly captures the spirit and sound of neo-traditional Irish music.

But the real surprise here is director Hans Friedrichs’s staging. Intertwining the musicians with the cast, he allows the show to reveal itself layer by layer. Every inch of Kate Rance’s scene design is used perfectly. I found myself eager to see the show unfold before my very eyes.

It also helps that Friedrich has a superb cast, led by Charlie Owens as our loveable Alfie Byrne. Owens delivers a subtle, layered performance here. He commands attention when on the bus or in rehearsal, but falls to the sidelines over his insecurities just about everywhere else. Owens has a charming voice, and carries the emotional arc of the show with grace and sincerity.

Of course, Alfie is nothing without his friends – and the ensemble telling the story of “the man of no importance” is perfectly cast. They each give this Dublin world the added bit of color it needs. I was especially taken by Renee Claire Bergeron (as Lily Byrne, Alfie’s sister) and Greg Horton (as Carney, the local butcher) – who steal just about every scene they’re in. Oh, and Eric Morris (as Robbie Faye, Alfie’s best friend) – with a voices so crisp and clear, it completely cuts through the show. Plus, you see his butt. I wasn’t mad at that.

The Gallery Players are putting on the first revival of The Man of No Importance, which made its off-Broadway debut at Lincoln Center 10 years ago (Happy Anniversary!). That production won the show a bunch of acclaim, including the Outer Critics award for Best Off-Broadway Musical (#TheMoreYouKnow). The folks at the Gallery Players deserve just as much credit for this outstanding production. Go see it – it’s a beautiful show.

A Man of No Importance is running at The Gallery Players (199 14th Street, between 4th and 5th Ave) Thursdays-Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm through February 19. Visit their website for ticket information or call 212-352-3101. And watch this snazzy video they made if you want to see some of the cast and crew in action: