THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS

VINTAGE THEATRE: 2/7 -3/15

       

The cast of The Scottsboro Boys (photo credit RDG Photography)

The rich and thrilling season at Vintage Theatre continues with the regional premiere of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS. 

      Under the astute direction of Betty Hart, this show is as harrowing as it is entertaining. 
     With music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and book by David Thompson, this musical has an edge reminiscent of Kander and Ebb’s other musicals, such as Cabaret, Chicago and Kiss of the Spider Woman.

     This reminder of the horrifying event that sparked the Civil Rights Act, describes the fate of nine African American lads who hop a train looking for adventure in 1931, and instead find themselves confronted by two lying southern girls who accuse them of rape.

    It’s a hard watch that’s infused with vaudevillian humor that’s both vulgar and garish. You know, the kind that makes you laugh and wince simultaneously? Much of this is delivered with brilliant panache by Denver favorites Dwayne Carrington (Bones) and Michael Peters (Tambo.)

     With his powerful acting and singing,    

Christopher Razor delivers a tour de force as Haywood Patterson. From “Starting in Chatanooga” to “Make Friends with the Truth,” to “You Can’t Do Me,” Mr. Razor’s performance shines!

     The two ignorant and malefic white girls, Victoria Price and Ruby Bates, are played to hilarious eye-rolling perfection by Jayvon Rollerson and Randy Chalmers respectfully.  

     From the exhilarating first number to those describing a macabre nightmare and a longing for home, the score is exceptional.    

     Musical director Lee Ann Scherlong rises to the challenge once again, providing us as audience with sensational choral work as well as dynamic orchestral work from the offstage band.

      Phil Cope’s minimal set design and Kevin Taylor’s intense lighting design -it even includes footlights- allow the actors to really pop.
     Christopher Page-Sanders' choreography is inventively creative and precise.

     This reviewer had wondered if the director might have included mirrors to reflect us as audience in the proceedings. This was not needed however.  Director Hart has instructed Timothy Kennedy as the Judge and Governor  to run out into the audience periodically soliciting validation from audience members. “Are you having fun? Enjoying the show?” 

     Generally performed without an intermission, the decision to include a break is a brilliant one, allowing the audience a brief respite from the harsh subject matter.
     Adults looking for an evening of powerful musical theatre should run to get tickets!


Marlowe's Musings

Vintage Theatre presents

“The Scottsboro Boys”

A powerful musical based the landmark case that gave rise to the civil rights movement.

Feb. 7 – Mar. 15

Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

$20-$40
303-856-7830 or online at www.vintagetheatre.org

Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010