ROBIN’S SHOW RECOMMENDATION: BONNIE AND CLYDE
They were two small-town kids from the middle of nowhere who became the biggest folk heroes in all America. They craved adventure—and each other. Their names were Bonnie and Clyde. Laura Osnes (Grease, Anything Goes) and Jeremy Jordan (Newsies, West Side Story) star as the 20th century’s most infamous duo, as the daring story of love and crime that captured the imagination of a country takes aim at a whole new generation.
Featuring music by Tony® nominee Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll and Hyde), lyrics by Tony® and Oscar® winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard) and a book by Emmy® Award nominee Ivan Menchell, this sexy new musical began previews at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street in NYC) on Friday, November 4th and will officially open on Thursday, December 1st.
The cast includes Melissa van der Schyff (Big River) as Blanche Barrow, Claybourne Elder (Road Show) as Buck Barrow, Joe Hart (The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public) as Sheriff Schmid and Louis Hobson (Next to Normal) as Ted Hinton.
Also featured are: Talon Ackerman, Rozi Baker, Leslie Becker, Mimi Bessette, Alison Cimmet, Dan Cooney, Jon Fletcher, Kelsey Fowler, Victor Hernandez, Sean Jenness, Katie Klaus, Michael Lanning, Garrett Long, Matt Lutz, Marissa McGowan, Cassie Okenka, Justin Matthew Sargent, Jack Tartaglia and Tad Wilson.
I thoroughly enjoyed this show. The cast is stellar. The material compelling. Osnes is indeed a ravishing redhead, as Bonnie is described by a newspaper, and her voice and presence are lovely, with an angelic sassiness. Jordan has the voice, looks, charisma and acting chops to have us fully buying into the allure of renegade Clyde. It was a thrill to watch his star turn performance.
Songs like Dyin’ Ain’t So Bad, sung beautifully by Osnes, and then also by Jordan, sing the praises of how living a short, but well-lived life can be better than living long and without passion. How true that is!
Kelsey Fowler and Talon Ackerman did a great job as the young Bonnie and Clyde, and I liked how they popped up at strategic times during the show to remind us of the aspirations of their younger selves. I found the story more affecting than I expected, as it got me thinking about the dreams of childhood and how they can manifest.
Menchell’s book was both witty and heartfelt. Not only was the story of these gangsters presented in a grippingly staged manner, but we come to understand the economic climate of the times and the motivation behind their robbing/gun-slinging streak. Additionally, the impact of Bonnie and Clyde’s escapades on their parents was palpably affecting.
The show was minus any big dance numbers, and had a more subtle ending, but you didn’ t miss either. It is packed with emotion and energy. The shooting sequences got your blood churning (and the actors…with more fake blood than I’ve yet to see on stage), and I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat. Can’t think of the last time I did that for a Broadway musical.
Visit BonnieandClydeBroadway.com.
ORDER NOW AND SAVE 40%
Orchestra/Mezzanine (A-E) $79.50 (reg $136.50 – $121.50)
($82.50 on Fri and Sat eves)
Mezzanine (F-H) $69.50 (reg $91.50 – $81.50)
Mezzanine (J-K) $59.50 (reg $71.50 – $66.50)
THREE WAYS TO BUY:
CLICK HERE and use code BCMHL1025
Call 212-947-8844 and mention code BCMHL1025
TICKET GIVEAWAY CONTEST:
Visit: http://www.facebook.com/BonnieClydeMusical?sk=app_150794994973742
If you enter the general sweepstakes, you are entered to win 2 tickets to see BONNIE and CLYDE the Musical. If you get five friends to also enter the contest using your custom link, you are entered to win the Opening Night package including two 2 tickets to the Opening Night performance and official after party.
