Middle8 

Reviewed by Dana Martin 
Stella Adler Theatre 
Through December 15 

The greatest band you’ve never heard of is taking center stage at the Stella Adler Theatre. Middle8, a new musical, features five self-professed creepy white dudes waxing poetic about all that could-have-been and what was never meant-to-be. Written, directed by and starring Stefan Marks, Middle8 is musically exciting but the story itself struggles to find focus.

The band (Ken Weiler, Matt Kaminsky, Stefan Marks, Brett Pearsons and Geoff Dunbar) is reuniting. You could call it the bygone pipe-dream garage band from Kansas City, Missouri — that is, the one that could have been famous 20 years ago if they had just stuck it out. Now it’s just a group of middle-aged white men, practical strangers, in various stages of mid-life crises. Regret, loss and identity crisis abound.

The play’s musical numbers precisely and poetically reveal the band’s collective personality. The harmonies are tight and the lyrics are poignant and clever. The story itself, however, is muddy. Marks largely focuses on loss, death and regret, which contrasts with the naturally uplifting tone of the music. Multiple storylines take frequent, confusing leaps back and forth through time, and many of the subplots fade away or remain unresolved.

The band — a real-life band called The Four Postmen — have genuine chemistry. All are fine musicians as well as proficient actors. Particularly enjoyable is Geoff Dunbar as Killian, the stoic, sensitive drummer gone-too-soon. Writer/Director Stefan Marks finds some meaty moments as life-made-haggard Chris. Matt Kaminsky finds much tenderness as Adam. Brittany Joyner lends complexity to the bland role of Adam’s endlessly supportive wife, Cassidy. Jules Cameron is a breath of fresh air as newlywed, starry-eyed Defloria.

Marks’ staging is clean and simple. Lighting designer Mark Svastics strikes a decent balance between everyday domesticity and rock opera fantasy. Svastic and Marks’ collective set design blends its elements well, keeping a largely open space and placing the band behind scrims to create a dramatic, concert-like quality. Sound design by Stephen Epstein is uneven. Paula Higgins’ costumes are fine and help to further define the characters’ personalities. Stephen Epstein’s video production is clever and creative.

Middle8 certainly shows sparks of promise; the acting is good and the music is grand. But the story’s many loose ends dilute the play’s overall impact. Ultimately though, it’s a tale as painfully ordinary as it is relatable: some dreams just don’t come true.

Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sat. 3 p.m.; through Dec. 15. www.fourpostmen.com/middle8. Running time: two hours and 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.