Underscore's 'Notes & Letters' is sublimely heartfelt

Having moved to Chicago nine short months ago, I was eager to immerse myself in the new works bubbling up around the city. Being able to view Underscore Theatre Company’s post-pandemic return to the stage, Notes & Letters, has rejuvenated this excitement in me. Through vibrant melodies and dynamic cast performances, Underscore provided two hours of charming storytelling that moved the audience from fits of laughter to stifled tears. Altogether, a ‘sublime’ evening was had by all. 

Notes & Letters has been in development with the company since 2018; this is its first fully-mounted production. Beginning in 1917 Chicago, it tells the story of a group tied together by accident, by fate, and by their passion and dedication for the music (and the music-making machines) coming from Williams Piano Shop. The plot is adapted from the actual letters of Annabelle Lee Revak’s (book, music, lyrics) great-great-grandfather, Joe Loula, sent to his family after emigrating to America from war-torn Eastern Europe. 

Our Joe, played by Sam Martin, draws the audience in immediately. Martin brings a vibrant naïveté of the hopeful carpenter, making him a joy to watch especially in light-hearted scenes between Joe and the characters Olivia and Charlie. The latter, played by Michael Mejia, was a crowd favorite, bringing laughs and pulling on heartstrings. Their performance showed stellar command of comedy, acting, and voice. 

The true vocal powerhouse of this production has to be Caitlin Dobbins, who plays headstrong spitfire Nora. Her voice stood out as a commanding presence during ensemble numbers, and her featured solo and duets were entirely engaging by way of acting and voice.

The strongest and most musically interesting moments of Notes & Letters were in the ensemble numbers, wherein they all join together in relative consonance or  dissonance, the latter of which becomes more prominent as the war gets closer to home.

The cast was bolstered by a focused and attentive pit band peeking behind the set. The instrumentalists, led by music director Anna Wegener, carried the mood of the entire production, from ragtime to contemporary ballads. The picture would not be complete without the gorgeous and intricate wooden set by Rebekah Clark complete with two, playable, upright pianos. Though the set only provided one locale, the props by Kathyrn Healy continued to make Williams Piano Shop vibrant and interactive for the characters. 

Though the overarching plot was occasionally predictable, that did not stop the actors and creative team from finding moments of true joy, sorrow, hope, and pain to continuously keep the audience caring about these four unlikely friends. Notes & Letters definitely finds the ‘silver lining’ and delivers a moving and insightful story, and, despite its 1917 setting, the dreams of the characters ring true even now.

Notes & Letters runs through May 28th, 2022 at the Richard Christiansen Theater at Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N Lincoln Ave. For tickets or more information, please click here.

Photos by Carlito Chavez.