The Times They Are A-Changin' is not nearly the abomination I had feared.
It is awkward, overwrought, crusty, often inappropriately choreographed.
But the orchestration, the classic lyrics, and the gusto of cast carries
the day.

Perhaps there is a good reason I am not a professional critic--I tend
to like almost everything, esp if connected w/ Bob Dylan--let's not
forget, I have  Ph.D. in the John Wesley Harding thru New Morning
period, w/ a minor in the 1966 World Tour.

Yet even this Self Portrait enthusiast, on hearing Twyla Tharpe linked
w/ Bob Dylan, expected nothing but the worst. Like Martin Scorsese,
another contemporary, TT comes out of a different universe from BD's.
(Cf. exact contemporaries George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. It happens.)
But then, the TT-BD combo could be considered no odder than the current
urban myth, which has BD romantically involved w/ another contemporary
from a different universe, Raquel Welch. Hey, it's showbiz.

The "plot" is thinner than a dime, though I'm not completely sure I
have it right. Captain Ahrab is a sadistic father-figure (and maybe
actual father, I'm not certain) to Coyote. Coyote eventually wins the
circus and gets the girl, Cleo, after Captain Ahrab is murdered. The
younger "counterculture" generation rules to the strains of "Forever
Young," taking the Ahrab circus to a new level of...something. Everyone
(except one) wins.

The show is sort of a cross between Freaks and Fiddler on the Roof.
When the choreography works, as in "Mrs. Henry" [exact title?] or "I'll
Be Your Baby Tonight," things are fine. Even "Maggie's Farm " makes for
good theater. But most is too over-the-top and a distraction.

The selection of songs is inspired: BD's hit in France "Man Gave Names
to the Animals," [exact title?], "Not Dark Yet," "Everything's Broken,"
"Summer Days."  There must be 20--a lot anyway, I didnt count.

I like to think this is not exactly an "A-for-Effort" reaction on my
part. Then again, as noted, give me some clothespins and a coffee can
and I'm happy.

Special thanks to my dear friend Dave Bianculli for the ticket, as Bob
Uecker thought he'd be but we really were, "down in the front row"--w/
the trampoline and Coyote spray--and for providing one heckuvan
enchanted evening.

Evander Lomke is a regular contributor to Tant Mieux. He works as an Editor & Writer in New York City. Mr. Lomke is a member of the PEN America foundation . He has published numerous great authors (including an ex-president and a Nobel Prize winner) and many notable books, including titles concerning animal rights and women's issues, philosphical matters, as well as the notable Kinsey International Encyclopedia of Sexuality.   He is an Officer of the Genius Club
 

editor's note: with thanks to Evander Lomke for contributing this piece to The Tant Mieux Project and our Bob Dylan section.

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