The Cradle Will Rock
Stone Soup Theatre 's production of Marc Blitzstein's "proletarian musical" (1937) is fun, at times, but also frustrating. Set in the depression, Cradle's an exposé of corruption in high places. Blitzstein has various citizens prostitute themselves, to robber-baron-like Mr. Mister, in order to thrive. Into this lion's den of iniquity charges stern-jawed, union-organizing Larry Foreman. He rocks the "cradle of liberty" and performs a secular harrowing of hell. Vocally, Stone Soup has a mix of able singers (Christopher T. Miller's Larry Foreman vitalizes the room; Bryan Curtiss White's Rev. Salvation exudes understated ironies) and performers for whom the rapid-fire score is either beyond their range or their abilities. All tend to blast through the lyrics and garble the words. Most frustrating: the production feels toned down. It needs a major dose of agitprop: raging, screwball (cartoony if necessary), eager to irritate. These folks finally have the chance - maybe their first and last - to tell their story. They'll do anything to shake up the status quo. Anything.
619-287-3065.
When
Ongoing until Sunday, April 26, 2009
Hours
| Sundays, 7pm |
| Thursdays, 8pm |
| Fridays, 8pm |
| Saturdays, 8pm |