The only constant is change in “I Became We”

The Atlantic Theater Company takes a bold step in presenting I Became We, an unusual but thoroughly enjoyable musical. Written by Mona Pirnot with music by Jack D. Coen and lyrics by Pirnot and Coen, the show is an oratorio for a group of 17 singers. No one singer portrays any specific character (with one exception, a young girl singing the main female character in her youth), yet under Sarah Benson’s direction and Coen’s conducting of his choir, the story and its characters are clearly defined and relatively easy to follow.

I Became We follows two thirty-somethings, a married couple with no children by choice, who live in a comfortable apartment in a large city. Their circle of friends are all married couples with children, a fact that tends to make our lead couple feel like outsiders at social events, especially when the conversation tends to drift towards the joys and woes of child-raising — as it always does.

The wife, researching the answer to a question, learns that of the six million eggs in a female fetus, at her age the number is now down to under 90,000 and rapidly decreasing. The news gets her to evaluate her and her husband’s life choices. She convinces him to seek a house in the suburbs, like most of their friends, but it’s not enough. Finally the couple have an open discussion about parenthood and change in general.

It’s not an earth-shattering plot, but it is a deeply honest journey and discussion of change versus the status quo. Not every decision is permanent, and differing circumstances — including aging — sometimes call prior decisions into question.

The 52-song score, with its tight four-part harmonies, ranges from solo numbers to duets, quartets, and full-group pieces. The lyrics are projected as supertitles, although the diction is crisp enough so that most times the supertitles are not necessary. The skillful accompaniment is provided by Blair McMillen at the on-stage piano.

I Became We is a precious gem of a story set to music. It is through-sung, it is beautiful, it is honest, and it is a joy to behold. The Atlantic Theater Company and its Artistic Director, Neil Pepe, are to be commended for having the imagination and wit to present it. I cannot more strongly encourage you to see I Became We before its limited engagement ends.

I Became We is presented by the Atlantic Theater Company at the Linda Gross Theater, 336 West 20th St., in New York, through November 22. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to atlantictheater.org.