OVERLAND, New Tuners Theatre, at the Theatre Building. Not itself pioneering, this vibrant musical pays rich tribute to yesterday’s pioneers. In a masterful no-frills staging by Warner Crocker for New Tuners’ “Stage One” series, Overland sweepingly chronicles the epic if familiar trek of American homesteaders. Heading for Oregon in 1844, this wagon train encounters both predictable and surprising obstacles: disease, insanity, disunity, wolves, misogyny, homesickness, lost horses, and swollen rivers. Ken Stone’s generous book and wise lyrics deliver believable crises and colorful characters–perhaps even too much of both. Jan Powell’s songs, well directed by Judy Myers, range from choruses like the imposing title number and the moving “Back Home” to a Stephen Foster-style finale. Overall the score is sophisticated, even Sondheim-like–somewhat surprising considering the country-western subject.
