PicksInSix Review: Amélie - "A Feeling of Absolute Harmony" - Kokandy Productions
Amélie - "A Feeling of Absolute Harmony"
PicksInSix® Review | Ed Tracy
The Chicago premiere of “Amélie: The Musical,” now playing in an exquisite Kokandy production at Chopin Theatre that opened Saturday in the intimate Downstairs Studio, is based on the 2001 award-winning French film written by Jean-Pierre Jenet and Guillaume Laurent. It was adapted for the stage—book by Craig Lucas, music by Dan Meese and lyrics by Meese and Nathan Tysen— and debuted in 2015 at the Berkeley Repertory Theater followed by a brief Broadway run in 2017, a UK tour in 2019 moving to the West End for a summer 2021 run.
The Kokandy production is directed and choreographed by Artistic Director Derek Van Barham with music direction by T. J. Anderson and Anna Wegener. The already lush and whimsical score has been enhanced with additional instrumentation that, in the talented and capable hands of twelve superb actors/singers/musicians, create a glorious experience of sight, sound and song. “Amélie” fits perfectly in the Chopin space and has all the makings of a colossal hit for Kokandy.
Amélie Poulain is a dreamer who overcomes early childhood isolation, and unimaginable loss, using all she has learned for good, to approach the world with wonder and spreading playful joy to everyone around her. Along the way, she builds confidence and develops a circle of friends and mentors who help her gain her own independence, ultimately, revealing the elusive love and affection she has yearned for all her life.
Aurora Penepacker is simply mesmerizing as Amélie, displaying a captivating stage presence that is only surpassed by her stunning vocal abilities. Penepacker, whose star shone brightly last season in Writers “Great Comet,” delivers a multi-layered performance, bursting with enthusiasm and beguiling charm, that is delightful to watch. True to the original story, Penepacker’s Amélie leads us through the mystery of a 40 year-old tin treasure box; the forging of romantic relationships at the café where she works; healing the broken heart of a co-worker; and, bringing peace and solitude to her grieving father.
All the while, the evolving relationship with Nino Quincampoix (Joe Giovannetti, in top form), the object Amélie’s desire, becomes her passionate focus. It is not just how Amélie attracts Nino, the shy and earnest collector of discarded subway photo booth images, but the interconnecting paths of all of the unique characters who serve as narrators to move the story along. Even though this feels very much like a collaborative ensemble experience throughout, Amélie’s parents Amandine (Rachel Carreras) and Raphael (Kelan M. Smith, who also covers Bretodeau), Sonia Goldberg’s Gina (“Window Seat”) and Jon Patrick Penick (Collignon/Julien Dufayel) and the company’s Act I closer “Goodbye, Amélie” leave memorable impressions.
The fine work of dialect coach Carrie Hardin is evident. The vast instrumentation—I lost count at twelve—and the quality of the musical performances is a credit to every member of the company—backed up by Kara Olander and Anna Wegener—who contribute to the exquisite harmonies. “Amélie: The Musical” has it all from an outstanding, energetic cast to an accomplished technical team—sound design by Matt Reich, mixed and engineered by Lynsy Folckomer and Mackenzie Hahn, set and lights by G “Max” Maxin IV and costumes by Rachel Sypniewski—all combining for a rich and robust vocal and instrumentation mix that is in a word: Magnifique!
PHOTO|Michael Brosilow
Kokandy Productions
presents
Amélie
Chopin Theatre
Downstairs Studio
1543 W. Division Street
through September 28, 2025
WEBSITE
PROGRAM
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