Michael John LaChiusa: Bernarda Alba - Michael John LaChiusa

Michael John LaChiusa's Bernarda Alba is based on Spanish poet and dramatist Federico Garcia Lorca's La Casa de Bernarda Alba and, like the play, the show is a dark, bold, sweeping statement about love and control. Here it is sung by an incredible cast, led by the magnificent Phylicia Rashad as the indomitable matriarch in a house of women.

Bernarda Alba is perfect material for LaChiusa whose work is always quirky, odd and difficult (in the best sense) and all the more rewarding for that. There are some very beautiful songs here. The music is rich and complex and as always, the melodies and lyrics are subservient to the needs of character and plot rather than pulling out obvious cliches and blockbuster showtunes.

The plot revolves around a tyrannical mother (Phylicia Rashad) who, after the death of her husband, plunges her household into darkness, refusing to allow her five adult daughters to search for love, or more importantly, sex. LaChiusa exploits the tension effectively in a score that is uncommonly unsettling. The music is Spanish-flavored to fit the setting and contains evocative orchestrations throughout by Michael Starobin.

If 'Annie' is your musical bag, avoid this like the plague. If, however, you prefer a challenge then give this a try. You will not be disappointed.