Bonnie and Clyde
The Frank Wildhorn/Ivan Menchell musical won't erase memories of the 1967 movie, but on its own terms it's a most promising world premiere. In many ways, the musical turns the movie inside-out: the book develops many characters in detail, the women in particular. This egalitarian take demystifies the story but slights the central pair (did Bonnie Parker embrace crime simply because her "Short Order World" bored her to tears? Was Clyde just a recidivist?). Wildhorn's memorable songs range from rockabilly to gospel, and the cast sings them with vocal authenticity. Wearing Tobin Ost's accurate costumes, Mare Winningham's rock-solid Emma, Claybourne Elder's underdeveloped Buck, Wayne Duvall's Sheriff (though he verges on cigar-chomping stereotype), and especially Melissa van der Schyff's wonderful Blanche turn West Texas twang into a kind of music. Neither Stark Sands nor Laura Osnes is a Hollywood star, yet. Their obvious talent and antsy, youthful energy provide motives where the script just offers labels. Their first song together, "The World Will Remember Me," could be prophetic.
Critic's Pick.
When
Ongoing until Sunday, December 20, 2009
Hours
| Sundays, 2pm & 7pm |
| Tuesdays, 7:30pm |
| Wednesdays, 7:30pm |
| Thursdays, 8pm |
| Fridays, 8pm |
| Saturdays, 2pm & 8pm |