Hey Everyone ...
So, I finally got the chance to go check out Bonnie & Clyde on Broadway. First of all, my motivation for seeing this show was not the story and God knows it wasn't Wildhorn's music - but the unbelievably talented Jeremy Jordan, who I was first introduced to in West Side Story and fell musically in love with in Newsies. Unfortunately for him, this show didn't 'do it'.
While the story of Bonnie & Clyde is an interesting one - it is not worth the 2 act Broadway massive-ness! It probably would have made a great off-Broadway one-act with some decent music.
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One of the best things about
this production are the projections
of the actual people and events. |
The show is essentially a love story about these two famed outlaws and their struggle to be 'famous' in one way or another. Bonnie (played by the always beautiful Laura Osnes) has a desire to be a movie star and Clyde (played by the handsome and talented Jeremy Jordan) enjoys the guns and trouble. We find Clyde breaking out of prison with his brother Buck (Claybourne Elder) who is convinced to give himself in by his wife Blanche (Melissa Van Der Schyff). Cut to both being back in prison, Clyde getting a harsh punishment, along with some assaults by fellow prisoners, and visits from Bonnie. Bonnie assists Clyde's escape by providing him with a gun and the two run off again into the sunset. OK, well, maybe not the sunset, but you get it.
Clyde continues robbing stores and banks and murders anyone who stands in his way. Eventually Buck is killed as their hideout is ambushed by police and Bonnie & Clyde are killed on their way home to meet their parents.
The basic story is not the problem with this show - it's the small details, which I can only imagine were added to make the show a two-act. The song "When I Drive", sung by Clyde and Buck, is a disaster from the first note and to me, pointless in the plot. I get it - they are close brothers, but do I really need a song about how Clyde drives? Jeremy Jordan has the voice of a God and the song "Bonnie" he really shows his chops. Laura Osnes has her chance with the beautiful ballad "Dyin' Ain't So Bad". What's unfortunate is that this show only has a child's handful of decent songs - none of which I left singing. That's one way I can tell that I didn't have a great time - I didn't sing any of the songs on the ride home, which I always do.
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| The cast |
A small prize is Melissa Van Der Schyff who draws attention as Buck's wife Blanche Barrow. She demands attention and has wonderful stage presence - so big props to her! Unfortunately, Clarbourne Elder as Buck Barrow leaves something to be desired. A big shout out goes to Louis Hobson (Next to Normal alum) as Ted Hinton who plays the innocent and love struck deputy sheriff.
Overall I give this show a C- ... it's stars are the only thing that saved it from failure.
Break a Leg,
Mr. F.
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