Article content Study Abroad – The Musical! Destination: U.K. Stage 1, ATB Westbury Theatre, Fringe Theatre Arts Barns, 10330 84 Ave.
4 stars out of 5 If you’re looking for a break from the improv comedies, the heady dramas or the weirder side of fringe, Cheryl Olvera’s musical revue is a nice, brisk change of pace. Full of empowerment anthems, torch songs and break-up laments, Study Abroad looks at the period Olvera’s life was upended by an unexpected break-up and how it pushed her out of her comfort zone in order to realize what she wanted out of life. The musical numbers touch on making major life changes, gaining perspective and pursuing dreams, while tracing her move overseas, being pushed creatively, finding community and jumping into the dating pool once again.
Composer-vocalist Olvera boasts poise and presence, not to mention big pipes, to fill the Westbury well beyond the small part of the stage she and pianist Erica Regher occupy. She seemed more than comfortable weaving from pop to R&B to jazz, with a little bit of operatic flair. While some of the storytelling transitions lacked a sense of dramatic tension, they are obviously deeply personal to Olvera, and it made the journey to self-actualization one on which the audience was happy to go.
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