Ethan Tampus

Prof. Joseph Kovach

3 April 2023

The Runner Stumbles Review

The Runner Stumbles was directed by Rob Barron. It stretched me in every way

imaginable as an actor and storyteller.

I don’t necessarily see this show that can invite moments for movement based story

telling or any forms of dance. It is a rather very grounded plan.

There was use of music in the show. There was the utilizing of it in the beginning when

Rivard first heard the children singing on the hill. It served as a storytelling device to help him

and transport him back to a past memory of Sister Rita teaching that song to children. The song

was called the “lilac song”. That same song was sung by Sister Rita in act 2 when Rivard

confronted Rita about finishing his book. She sat on her garden as she tatted her fabric.

The moments in the musical where I believe could have used music were in the

transitions from past to present. Not necessarily full blown songs, but I wondered if there could

have been a utilizing of underscoring music to set the tone for the next scene and signify a time

jump.

Heightened or climatic moments that could have used music were the first dinner scene

between Rivard and Rita, to display a level of tension in their what is supposed to be cordial

relationship. A comedic song would have perfectly fit the atmosphere. Another heightened

moment would be at the end of act 1, when Sister questions the humanity of Rivard and Rivard

stabs his hand and rubs blood on her face. A dramatic song to display the tension would have

been appropriate there. In act 2, the courtroom scene where Rivard went to attack the prosecutor
would have been an opportunity for an ensemble song to display the tension and reaching of the

climax of the courtroom scenes. This could have led into the next scene interaction between

Rivard and his lawyer, which could have been a duet to signify that they had one more shot to

win the court case. There could have been a goodbye song between Rita, Shandig, and Rivard

when Rivard leaves for Traverse City. Lastly, there could have been a solo song for Mrs. Shindig

as she confesses to her murder.