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Regional Reviews: Phoenix The Clockmaker's Daughter Also see Gil's review of Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson - Apt. 2B
Set in the fictional Irish town of Spindlewood, the story follows Abraham, a lonely clockmaker whose daughter recently died. He misses her, so, using his clockmaker skills, he secretly builds a mechanical girl named Constance. However, Abraham has created something more than a machine, as he discovers that Constance is able to speak. Fearing being discovered, Abraham tries to keep her locked away, but the inquisitive Constance begins to explore life outside the clockmaker's shop. She befriends all she meets due to her kind and caring ways, and she soon falls in love with a young man, Will, but her presence in the town also stirs both fascination and fear. The tale unfolds like a classic legend, but the combination of the story's emotional weight with the themes of loss, overprotective parents, and a satisfying ending give it real dramatic power. The score by Webborn and Finn is a true highlight that complements the story's sincerity and intimacy. Its rich, melodic, and full of heartfelt ballads and several rousing ensemble numbers feature folk-inspired motifs. However, there are some issues with the structure and the length of the piece as well as character development, where some editing could help. For example, we know virtually nothing about how the clockmaker's daughter died, even though her loss is the reason he decided to create Constance. We also know very little about several of the supporting characters, some of whom are introduced shortly after the opening number and long before Constance is created, which seems backwards, especially since Constance is the main focus of the story. Also, the dressmaker Ma' Riley, who is the main antagonist in the piece, is two-dimensional, as are several of the other supporting characters. While the score is enchanting and varied, the fact that the musical runs 2-1/2 hours, with a fairly simple story and minimal development of several characters, also makes it feel longer, even if it always keeps your attention. The cast of this production shines, with Taylor Underwood delivering a standout performance as Constance that is both ethereal and grounded. Her Constance is a seamless combination of a mechanical being and a young, naïve girl in a performance that perfectly captures the character's innocence as well as her growing self-awareness layered with grace and emotional clarity. Underwood's singing voice soars on her many solos and duets and she creates a believable character that has authentic connections with everyone in the cast. As Abraham, the clockmaker, Derek Neumann beautifully evokes the character's quiet pain and fatherly love, along with his controlling nature, bringing depth to the story's core relationship. Andrei Igdanes is charming as Will, the young man who falls in love with Constance. Both Neumann and Igdanes have bright and warm singing voices that shine throughout. The supporting characters and the other townspeople are portrayed with warmth and nuance, creating a believable and textured community that feels both specific and symbolic. However, a few small diction issues and the use of thick Irish accents occasionally gets in the way of the otherwise lovely performances. The combination of Andrea Robertson's direction and Ken Goodenberger's rich music direction delivers rich performances, bright singing, and warm portrayals from the large cast. The creative elements feature a large, multi-tiered set design with whimsical and mechanical touches by Ryan Wentzel and lovely costumes by Sarah Houghtelin that tie directly to the story and work hand-in-hand to build the world and locations of Spindlewood. Paul Yount's choreography is excellent, with precise movements that feature quirky but fun clock-like gestures that are danced well by the large cast. The four-piece orchestra derives a rich, full, and gorgeous sound. The Clockmaker's Daughter is a hauntingly beautiful musical with a fairly simple story that speaks to the heart and casts a magical spell. With its enchanting music, interesting characters, meaningful message, and poignant ending, it's a refreshing new and original musical that deserves to be discovered. I only hope the authors make a few updates in the script to help clarify and fine tune the musical and the structure of the piece. The Clockmaker's Daughter runs through June 29, 2025, at Paradise Valley Community College, 18401 North 32nd Street, Phoenix AZ. For tickets and information, please visit paradisevalley.edu/cpa or call 602-787-7738 Director: Andrea Robertson Cast: |
