"Dysfunction" show #898

There’s something to be said when a musical knows exactly what it is. Such is the case for the premiere of the new musical, Dysfunction, playing at Selma Arts Center. Ke’Lea Flowers, who is responsible for the music, lyrics, book, and direction of Dysfunction, has created a vulnerable, personal, and emotionally-driven piece that is a smattering of music styles and genres, spoken word and poetry, monologues and scenes. At its core, Dysfunction serves as a true ensemble-driven, cohesively designed, staged, and produced song cycle that is eager in its commitment and wholly entertaining in its storytelling.

(Cast of Dysfunction; Photo source: Selma Arts Center)

With assistant direction provided by Nwachukwu Oputa, both Oputa and Flowers have helmed a fluid, precisely paced, whirlwind of a production. The score is terrific, offering genres ranging from pop to doo-wop to rap to traditional “musical theatre,” and a range of styles between. The company knows no weak voice when the harmonies and triumphant solos are centerstage, and the movement (also by Flowers, with additional choreography by Miz-unique Slater) is a visual, often thrilling complement to the music while always prioritizing the story.

Where Flowers’s musical hits gold is how the emotional journeys taken are personified through the cast and given a spectrum of disposition and character as each company member delivers their interjections, monologues, rants, or musical turns. Flowers’s specificity in her lyrics, book, and choreography allows for this musical to be a universally relevant and relatable piece. For Flowers to be able to find the humor, the tear-jerking reality, and giving unapologetic permission to be loud when portraying mental, societal, and behavioral health issues and joys, shows just how her method of musically-driven art is one that will resonate, to varying degrees of course, with all audience members who see Dysfunction. There’s a piece of, if not an all-consuming aspect to, feeling dysfunctional in all of us; audience members will find a slice–if not an entire helping–of what that feels like when watching this production.

(Cast members of Dysfunction; Photo source: Selma Arts Center)

In support of the performance is a stellar design team, highlighted by Levi Hill’s vibrant, personality-driven costume design and Nicolette Andersen’s expansive two-level scenic design, allowing for the large cast to be in space without ever feeling compact. Shows like Dysfunction are what audiences are treated to when new, urgent, and inclusive art is given support. Shows like Dysfunction thrive when the elements come together to be loud, proud, and true to the writer’s intent. Shows like Dysfunction don’t come around very often, so do everything you can to make sure you see this show!