The Nomad: Theater review by Adam Feldman
There is much to explore in the life of Swiss writer and wanderer Isabelle Eberhardt, who moved to Algeria at the turn of the 20th century, dressed as a man, converted to Islam and joined the local uprising against French colonial rule—all before dying in a flood at the age of 27. Elizabeth Swados and Erin Courtney’s brief, episodic art musical, The Nomad, treats its subject at a respectful remove; it depicts Eberhardt (hard-working Teri Madonna) as a human question mark, both inquisitive and enigmatic.
In its best sequences, including one in which a majestic gray horse is assembled onstage through puppetry (designed by Lydia Fine), the show conjures a world of desert wonder. But as directed by Swados and performed by the green Bats, The Nomad moves unsurely between fatalistic mystery and unwieldy bluntness, and the lyrics often sit squarely on the sinuous, African-influenced music, to banal effect (“Our love will last forever / You’re my oasis from despair”). Though evocative, the musical doesn’t dig deep enough to summon Eberhardt’s spirit from within the sands of time.—Adam Feldman
Flea Theater (see Off-Off Broadway). Book and lyrics by Elizabeth Swados and Erin Courtney. Music by Swados. Directed by Swados. With ensemble cast. Running time: 1hr 5mins. No intermission.
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