The Long Way Home – Smock Alley – Review
21 – 31 Aug 2024

From ABOUTFace Theatre Company

Jack Moriarty (Jack Healy) is down on his luck.  His dreams of becoming a rock star are long gone, and now his girlfriend Theresa (Darina Gallagher) has kicked him out of their apartment.  He’s a middle-aged man with a drink problem trying to make a living from performing music in a local pub.  When he decides to play the music of Tom Waits, things start to move in the right direction!

This is a new musical co-written and starring Jack Healy. Jack is known as the lead singer of Bone Machine, a covers band that plays the music of Tom Waits and more. He has also studied acting and performed on stage, so this work combines his two loves.

The play features many of Waits’ much-loved songs including I Hope That I don’t Fall in Love with You, Way Down in the Hole, Eggs and Sausage and the Heart of Saturday Night before the interval. After the interval we hear songs such as Jersey Girl, Make it Rain, Long Way Home, Martha and Goin’ Out West.

It’s less a Musical and more a play with music.  As the character Jack plays music in his day job, it is easy to include songs at various points in the play.

The production also features three strong female roles, including Jack’s friend Ali (played by Fiona Lucia McGarry on the night of the review). There is also Jack’s girlfriend Theresa (Darina Gallagher) and his boss Margo played by Anna Nugent.

The story gives us an insight into Jack’s life, as he battles his inner demons.  We move quickly from song to song, with vocal performances from all four cast members and guitar accompaniment from Jack Healy and Fiona Lucia McGarry.

You could tell many in the audience loved Waits’ music. The production played to a full house on the night of this review, which is rare for a new work in Dublin.  The plot is not overly complex.  It’s a simple love story but the musical element elevates the production.  The playful dream sequence for Goin’ Out West was one of the highlights. Creating a new musical is a complex task, but Healy uses his knowledge of Waits and his music to great effect.  It’s a love letter to Tom Waits, showcasing songs from all parts of his songbook.

WRITTEN BY Dave Cowzer and Jack Healy
DIRECTED BY Paul Nugent
CAST Carla de Búrca, Darina Gallagher, Jack Healy and Anna Nugent
ALI’S STANDBY Fiona Lucia McGarry