This 22-person musical reveals the truth behind the headlines and the man behind the legend, the undeniable genius who re-invented motion pictures. 

McClure originated the role of Chaplin at La Jolla Playhouse (Craig Noel Award winner), and he delivers a tour-de-force performance.  From the moment he sets foot on stage in Chaplin garb, we enter into the world of Chaplin.

I knew nothing of Chaplin’s life prior to seeing the show, but emerged a fan, both of McClure, and the icon himself. 

The show was engaging, and packed an emotional punch…which I never expected.  Zachary Unger as young Charlie and Jackie Coogan, tore at my heartstrings.  When he bawled, I was on the verge of tears.

Any mother in the audience would have felt Chaplin’s pain…when he was thrown out of the arms of his mentally ill mother as she got admitted to an institution.  And, when he later visits her there as a grown man, and she asks him what became of the child she used to perform with, which was him.

Chaplin led an attention-seeking life, whether wedding and bedding women, underage and beyond, or making huge entertainment strides that to this day are remembered.   He was a true original, and while his story was shared in obvious chronological form, I  found it engaging.  I cared about Chaplin…the man…with the spirit of a boy who ultimately led a life of exile before he was honored.

The cast overall delivered.  Christiane Noll as Hannah, his mother, Erin Mackey as Oona O’Neil, his last wife, and Jenn Collella as the devious Hedda Hopper, sang beautifully.  Wayne Alan Wilcox was affecting and sincere as Sydney, Charlie’s devoted brother, and Michael McCormick as Charlie Chaplin Sr., Mack Sennett and McGranerty, demonstrated his capable versatility.

While the music wasn’t memorable, and some of the material could have been cut, Chaplin  has a lot of heart, and it was an enjoyable theatrical experience.