THERE IS A HAPPINESS THAT MORNING IS at Next Act Theatre

Neil Brookshire and Cassandra Bissell in THERE IS A HAPPINESS THAT MORNING IS at Next Act Theatre in Milwaukee through March 19, 2023. Photo by Ross Zentner.

By Mary Boyle
 
William Blake was an 18th Century English poet, painter, and printer who is best known for his two illuminated books, which were engraved, hand-printed, and painted by Blake: Songs of Innocence, published in 1789, and Songs of Innocence and of Experience, published in 1794.  The first book of poetry is written from the perspective of children or about children, while the later book combined the first book along with poetry that involved the transition into adulthood.  Though not particularly famous in his lifetime, Blake has become a poet of interest largely because of his political views, which were somewhat radical for his time.  Blake was a friend of both the French and American Revolutions and a revolutionary in his own right, being a strong proponent of early feminism.  Blake and his poetry is the inspiration for Mickle Maher’s World Premiere Play, THERE IS A HAPPINESS THAT MORING IS, through March 19th at Next Act Theatre in Milwaukee.

Now, what you might be thinking after that introduction is one of two things: “I am a poetry lover and this play will be a beautiful and academic modern classic that I must see!” or “I know nothing about poetry and I don’t want to see some stuffy, elitist, academic play about it.”  Well, I am here to tell you that both of those thoughts are so far off base when it comes to this production.  Amazingly, the entirety of the play is in rhyming verse, but not at all flowery or tedious; in fact, it’s at times riotously funny and at others unbelievably crass, interspersed with great poignancy and terrible heartbreak.  Then, it goes completely sideways but, alas, I can’t tell you about that part – it would ruin the surprise.

Directed by Mary MacDonald Kerr, this story is about Ellen and Bernard, a married couple of 20 years who both teach classes on William Blake at a small liberal arts college in the woods and, in a moment of shared poetical bliss during an outdoor class, they fell into each other’s arms and, well…had sex. In front of their students.  Until they were rudely interrupted by the Dean and fled into the woods.  Now, after a long night in nature to think about what happened, they’ve been asked to make an apology to their respective classes if they want to keep their jobs but, having not seen each other since “the event,” they are unaware that they both ran away with completely different experiences.  Finding themselves at a pivotal moment in their relationship and lives, the poetry that brought them together may be the very thing that tears them apart.

Neil Brookshire, who appeared in The Last White Man at Next Act, and Cassandra Bissell (Russian Troll Farm), who is also no stranger to Next Act, were truly phenomenal as Bernard and Ellen. Their chemistry together is perfect, and they are so believable in their roles.  Interestingly, that they speak in verse throughout the production isn’t at all corny and, as they delve into their individual experiences of “the event” and work through their predicament, their relationship and characters are entirely believable and even relatable, despite the fact that “the event” is not an everyday occurrence. 

I was expecting this play to wrap up in a profound way, with either a sad or a happy ending, but then everything gets weird.  I know, I know – you’re probably thinking, “It already was weird!  How could it get more weird?!”  Dear readers, I am afraid I would reveal top secret things if I were to reveal exactly how it becomes more weird, so I cannot say.  What I can say is that, for me, the play went from potential genius to ridiculousness, which I found to be very unfortunate, and then it just became exceedingly uncomfortable.  Then again, if you like adventurous, unconventional, uncomfortable theatre (or you aren’t sure, so you want to try), this may just be the ticket! 

THERE IS A HAPPINESS THAT MORNING IS runs through March 19th at Next Act Theatre, located at 255 S. Water Street in Milwaukee.  Tickets may be purchased at ​nextact.org/ or by calling (414) 278-0765.  

About Next Act Theatre

Next Act Theatre engages the hearts and minds of audiences with intimate, compelling productions intended to stimulate thought, foster the exchange of ideas, and promote the development of new perspectives and understanding.  Led by Producing Artistic Director, David Cecsarini for 30 seasons, Next Act welcomed Cody Estle in December of 2022 as the new Artistic Director. Next Act continues its tradition of creating high-quality, professional theatre in Milwaukee. The past 30 seasons have earned the company its strong reputation for producing engaging work that feels intimate, powerful and personal. The plays presented are passionate, often bold, sometimes humorous, and always up-close-and-personal presentations of life.  A strong, vibrant and financially stable company, Next Act produces a four-show season of contemporary drama. The company is particularly noted for its acting excellence, accessible performance style, and for a varied and consistently interesting selection of plays, chosen from the best new works and off-Broadway hits. Next Act has mounted more than 100 main stage productions, including over 100 area premieres and six original scripts.