Chasing Heaven

In the wake of Stephen Sondheim's letter to The New York Times questioning the rewrites being done to "Porgy and Bess" by author Suzan-Lori Parks and director Diane Paulus, playwright-director Leah Maddie has a tiger by the tail with "Chasing Heaven." Right now, however, both play and production, though undeniably intriguing, are more enthusiastic than accomplished.

Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Kinshasha Morton (Christine Campbell) has been hired by the estate of composer Joshua Gerwitz (Greg Horton) to make his critically acclaimed folk opera "Chasin' Hebben" palatable to contemporary sensibilities. Not only does Morton have misgivings about taking the job, but the ghost of Gerwitz is positively furious. Indeed, the centerpiece of this 70-minute satire is a long and often funny argument between playwright and ghost that plays fair with both sides, even if it doesn't lead persuasively to Maddie's sudden feel-good ending.

As playwright, Maddie hasn't yet successfully integrated some supporting characters into the mix, and she ought to rethink her reliance upon telling rather than showing through a character called "the Curator." As director, she encourages some brightly colored acting that doesn't always co-exist easily with the more measured, intelligent work of Campbell, who is the standout. Another asset is Peter Dizozza's flavorful original music.

Maddie is exploring important issues in "Chasing Heaven," which is all the more reason to keep refining her work. She might gain welcome perspective by doffing one of her hats and allowing someone else to direct.

Presented by MiddleMaddle Ensemble as part of the New York International Fringe Festival at the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural Center's Flamboyán Theatre, 107 Suffolk St., NYC. Aug. 13–26. Remaining performances: Sat., Aug. 20, 7 p.m.; Wed., Aug. 24, 8:45 p.m.; Fri., Aug. 26, 9:45 p.m. (866) 468-7619 or www.fringenyc.org.