After a year of tireless production, the long-awaited “A Crack in the Egg,” created by Jeremy Meyers and John DellaContrada, made its debut in UB’s Katharine Cornell Theatre on Feb. 7 and 8.
Inspired by Andy Weir’s “The Egg,” a short story that explores the meaning of the human existence, “A Crack in the Egg” expounds upon Weir’s philosophy in greater detail. The self-titled ‘new rock musical’ stars Julia Witt, Ryan Butler, Allinee NeGron, Abby Tyler, Jeremy Ephraim Meyers and Alex Louis, a talented cast consisting of sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Seats filled up quickly in the auditorium, with the noise of showgoers immediately fading as the lights dimmed. The next two-and-a-half hours would be suspenseful and dramatic, intensified with a dash of infidelity, surprisingly hopeful.
The musical begins with the death of the main character Ian, played by Ryan Butler, and his supposed first encounter with God, played by Julia Witt. Without giving him any time to gather his bearings, God thrusts upon Ian the task of destroying humanity and everything itself. It is no longer a request from God, it is a demand. “You wouldn’t want to anger God now, would you?” Julia’s voice booms, sending chills through the audience.
Julia Witt gave a riveting performance, showing the audience an unconventional interpretation of God by donning a visage of elation and near-madness. Capturing the audience’s attention with strong vocals and loud gestures, she cemented herself as the most powerful, fearsome being in the story and on the stage.
The small, tight-knit cast worked extremely well with the story they were telling, and the chemistry between each actor only deepened the audience’s immersion. At the climax of the musical, there were even audible sniffles and gasps amidst the sea of onlookers, their faces obscured by the cover of darkness that shrouded the theatre.
Jeremy Meyer’s take on “The Egg” was masterfully crafted, merging a successful performance and fulfilling viewing experience, despite some initial uneasiness at the beginning of its production. Everyone who walked into the theatre those two nights was glad this labor-of-love came to fruition.
The arts desk can be reached at arts@ubspectrum.com
