BONNIE AND CLYDE, THE MUSICAL

TOWN HALL ARTS CENTER: 2/17 – 3/19

L-R: Ellen Kaye and Tim Howard

With music by Frank Wildhorn and lyrics by Don Black, “Bonnie and Clyde, the Musical” tells the tale of the infamous Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. This is the couple that terrorized the south during the Depression by holding up everything from gas stations to banks. When Clyde kills a man in one of the robberies these two realize it’s “Too Late to Turn Back Now.”

     Tim Howard, who plays Clyde Barrow, is one of Colorado’s premier musical theatre talents. His rousing version of “This World Will Remember Me” rocks at the top of the show and his mellifluous rendition of “Bonnie” puts one in mind of the young James Taylor.

      Ellen Kaye, who portrays Bonnie Parker, has a soprano to die for. “How ‘Bout a Dance” and “Dyin’ Ain’t So Bad” will give you an auditory taste of just how phenomenal her voice is. 

          When Keegan Flaugh’s Baptist preacher unleashes his version of “God’s Arms are Always Open,” he takes us with him to ‘Gospel’ heaven.

     The supporting cast includes such fine artists as: Chas Lederer(Buck Barrow), Alison Mueller(Blanche Barrow), Scott McLean(Sheriff Schmid) and Margie Lamb(Emma Parker.)

      Nick Sugar has directed and choreographed the show which means that the usual suspects are manning the technical aspects of the show. It also means that the production looks and sounds great!

    With scenic design by Tina Anderson, costumes by Linda Morken and lighting by Seth Alison, how could one go wrong?

     Add to that the incredibly gifted Donna Kolpan Debreceni and her live band which keeps us rooted in the Gospel and Rockabilly sounds with which Mr. Wildhorn scored the piece. Curt Behm’s sound design enhances the production.

     Beyond that there are projections by Brian Freeland which keep us visually focused in the black and white and sepia memories of the era. These projections, many of which look as if they were ripped from the pages of James Agee’s “Let Us Now Praise Famous Men,” fill in the holes in Ivan Menchell’s book by featuring headlines that let the audience know where these gangstas are currently raising hell. F/X maestro Todd Debreceni adds his genius to the make-up and special effects.

Leave the kids at home and go support Littleton Town Hall Arts Center’s “Bonnie and Clyde, the Musical.”Marlowe's Musings

Town Hall Arts Center is located at 2450 West Main Street in Littleton, Colorado

For tickets go online to www.TownHallArtsCenter.org or call 303-794-2787

YOHEN

THEATRE ESPRIT ASIA: 2/3 – 2/26

 

 L-R: Don Randle and Maria Cheng

Theatre Esprit Asia is currently producing the regional premiere of Philip Kan Gotanda’s “YOHEN” at their space in the Aurora Cultural Arts District’s Gallery at 1400 Dallas Street in Aurora.

     Directed by Anthony J. Garcia, and starring Maria Cheng and Don Randle, YOHEN brings to life the story of the marriage of an immigrant Japanese woman and an African American G.I.

     One’s first impression upon entering the Gallery is that Bryan Miller’s minimalist scenic design suggests that this couple’s living space is a perfectly balanced zen garden. At first glance it reflects the soft, feminine feng shui and ordered sensibility of Sumi. However … in short order we are made aware that the space also contains the imaginal imprint of a boxing ring reflective of the masculine potency of Sumi’s athletic paramour, James.

     Once considered “a cinch for the Olympics,” James now serves as mentor to up-and-coming young boxers at the corner gym.

     Watching Mr. Randle’s sweaty intense delivery of air-jabs, hooks and uppercuts, first with his right, and then with his southpaw, allows one to easily imagine his opponent in the ring.

      As Sumi Washington, Ms. Cheng’s studied acting is both poignant and brilliant. (Anyone having seen this actor’s award-winning work in “Spirit and Sworded Treks” will presumably already have tickets.

     In Japanese, Yohen means “an accident in the firing” of a clay pot.  Sometimes a flaw makes one see the beauty in an otherwise flawless work. Shamans say that it’s the crack that allows the light to enter and heal what needs to be healed.

     Go and support Theatre Esprit Asia!

YOHEN is playing at ACAD Gallery Theatre

Aurora Cultural Arts District,1400 Dallas St.  

Aurora, CO  80010   

For tickets call 720-492-9479 or go online at teatheatre.org

BILLY ELLIOT

VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS: 2/3 – 3/19

              Kaden Hinkle

    Coal can turn to diamonds.

     Dear reader, I must tell you at the get go that this review is going to be a long list of plaudits for an incredible show.  If you’re looking for something to make you feel lighter and more exhilarated than you have for a long time, see Billy Elliot at Vintage Theatre.

      “Billy Elliot, the Musical” is based upon the 2000 film in which a young boy who wishes to dance struggles against his father’s wish that he become a boxer. The backdrop is that of the coal miners’ strike in County Durham in the northeast of Maggie Thatcher’s England in 1984.

     With music by Elton John and lyrics by Lee Hall, the show won ten Tony Awards including Best Musical  in 2009.

     Inspiration and heartbreak walk hand in hand in this rousing and exuberant production.

      In this reviewer’s experience, it has been rare in these last 20 years that an opening night for a musical production of this magnitude has come off so seamlessly. The actors were more than ready in large part due to the professional aplomb and artistic skills of director Bernie Cardell, who has cast the show to perfection.

     Kaden Hinkle is a triple threat performer. Mr. Hinkle gives us a Billy who goes from shy and vulnerable boy in nowhere Northern England to a young man that’s just been accepted into the Royal Academy of Ballet in London. Exceptional throughout, his rendition of “Electricity” and dancing of “Angry Dance” are unforgettable.

     Andy Anderson has risen to new heights in his acting career with his portrayal of Billy’s bullying blue collar Dad. His song recalling Billy’s mother’s burial, “Deep into the Ground,” is profoundly moving.

     As Billy’s grandma, Deborah Persoff creates a lovably irascible character who’s slipping in and out of lucidity as she rages at the memory of an abusive husband, while punctuating her regrets with the memories of the good times when he and she were dancing at the pub.

     After an absence that has been far too long, Adrianne Hampton returns to the stage as Mrs. Wilkinson, the dance instructor who discovers Billy.

    Becca Farrell Fletcher delivers a very fine performance in the role of Billy’s dead Mom.

     Benjamin Dienstfrey’s performance as Michael, Billy’s cross-dressing friend, is revelatory.

   Brian Robertson gives a focused strength to Billy’s older brother Tony as he struggles to keep the family together.

     Eddie Schumacher plays multiple roles with panache.

     Kris Graves is hilarious as Mr. Braithwaite.

       Touching and inspirational, this is an evening of theatre everyone should see.

     Music Direction by Blake Nawa’a stuns!

     Christopher Waller’s intentionally self-effacing grey scenic design allows the characters to really pop!

     The choreography is superbly done by Gina Eslinger and Andrew Bates.

     The juxtaposition of the striking miners resisting the police with a children’s dance class and the dream ballet danced by Billy and his future self (Will Treat) are two of the masterfully choreographed scenes.

     Susan Rahmsdorff’s costume design is spot on.

       Steve Tangedal creates evocative moods with his lighting.

      Highly recommended.

                          Marlowe's Musings 

 “Billy Elliot the Musical” February 3 – March 19
Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sun. at 2:30 p.m
Tickets are $28 - $34 

Online at www.vintagetheatre.org or 303-856-7830. 

Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010.