You never know which doors in New York will transport you to a different world, and at The Sanctuary at St. Paul & St. Andrew (also known as the West End Theatre), this is doubly true. By night, this imposing Methodist cathedral becomes a theater – and inside the theater, Avalona, A Musical Legend will take you into a different realm entirely.
The Sanctuary really is the perfect venue for this show. With towering, vaulted ceilings and a wide performance space rings by pews, there is a reverent vibe set for Avalona before it even begins. The space is draped in yards of white gauze, and gentle electrical candles flicker away in the aisles between the pews.
Avalona begins with the titular character’s inner child (Madeline Serrano) playing with a character called the Dark Horse (Fabricio Seraphin), who is supposed to represent Avalona’s empowerment. But during a short dance scene, Avalona’s Inner Child and the Dark Horse are separated, leaving the adult Avalona (Jenna Rubaii) crying and alone. She is approached by several more characters with vague backstories and seemingly metaphorical identities: the Shaman (Maya Days), the Shadow (Constantine Maroulis), and the Weaver of Time (Dina Fanai). With powerful voices belting out the songs of composer Dina Fanai, these characters try to influence her journey as she seeks to restore her inner child.
While its multi-sensory storytelling is intriguing and often beautiful, Avalona struggles by not having a clearer story. The Alice-in-Wonderland-like meandering of the plot could be more compelling with a more specific understanding of who Avalona is, but without much to latch on to about her character, the metaphors of her journey fall flat.
That’s not to say this production is without merit. While the message may be vague – for example, one of Avalona’s trials is to choose between love and darkness – the broader concept is a touching one. “We each have a journey, a voice, a vision / We are legends…” the lyrics say, With flowing costumes, league of talented dancers, gauzy backdrops, and soothing projections, Avalona has a distinctly modern-Druidic feel that transports the audience straight into a fairytale. It’s really a beautiful thing to think that each of our personal spiritual journeys deserve to be elevated into the status of legends.
Avalona may not be for everyone, but it is certainly an experience that will delight the senses. The dancers are enchanting, moving through the choreography with a palpable joy. The cast has a collective set of pipes to rival the giant organ pipes high up on the walls of this unusual venue: Jenna Rubaii, Maya Days, Constantine Maroulis, and Dina Fanai especially bring the house down in number after number. Stepping into the Sanctuary for the run of Avalona, A Musical Legend is indeed to be taken somewhere otherworldly.
Created, directed, composed by Dina Fanai
Cast includes: Jenna Rubaii, Maya Days, Constantine Maroulis, Dina Fanai, Madeline Serrano, Fabricio Seraphin, Lavy Cavaliere
Runs through 29 March 2025
The Sanctuary at St. Paul & St. Andrew Theatre