Bonnie and Clyde - Spoiler Free Review
9.5 out of 10 stars! - DON'T MISS IT!
Tickets available here: https://events.humanitix.com/bonnie-and-clyde
MCMT’s production of Bonnie & Clyde is so close to perfect, Mary Poppins would be impressed!
With music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Don Black and book by Ivan Menchell, Bonnie & Clyde is a thrilling and sexy musical with a non-traditional score, combining blues, gospel and rockabilly music. Fearless, shameless and alluring, it is the electrifying story of love, adventure and crime that captured the attention of an entire country, and through the vision of Lucy Trewin, Serena Cann and Deborah Joy Proeve, Adelaide has another masterpiece in town!
Director Lucy Trewin’s vision is evident in every aspect of the production. The relationships between characters—Bonnie & Emma, Clyde & Buck, Bonnie & Blanche, and more—are thoughtfully developed, lending authenticity and emotional resonance to the story. Trewin’s attention to detail ensures that every interaction feels genuine and meaningful.
Similarly, MD Serena Cann has the orchestra tighter than skinny jeans, whipping out the blues, gospel and rockabilly music with precision and meticulous care, all the while seen to be bopping along to the music herself! The entirety of the music score is bound to be Cann’s earworm for the next three months. Special mention to the ballads in Act Two – they are as deadly as Clyde himself!
Deborah Joy Proeve’s choreography is sharp and synchronized, ravishing the musical numbers without ever overshadowing the storytelling. The cast’s consistent accents throughout the performance are a testament to rigorous coaching and rehearsal, adding another layer of believability.
This production boasts an alternate cast for Young Bonnie and Clyde, and on opening night, Alyssa Faranda and Maisie Lewis set the tone with their impressive vocals and stage presence. Their portrayals of the young dreamers, idolizing Clara Bow and Billy the Kid respectively, are both poignant and powerful. Their return in Act Two is a welcome reminder of their talent, further cementing their importance to the narrative arc.
Notably missing from was Jasmyn Satchell, but fellow cast member Alex Burton quickly stepped into the role (Stella) for the fun salon scene with Darcie Yelland-Wark (Tricia) and Carolina Fioravanti (Blanche), singing You’re Going Back to Jail. This was just one of the many, many hits, with stellar vocals across the board.
Husband of Blanche, Buck, was played by David MacGillivray with superb character, confidence, vocals, and energy. Buck and Brother Clyde bounced off each other (sometimes literally) just like brothers in real life, and further, in Act 2 during The Shootout, his death was equally played brilliantly.
An unexpected character to leave an impression on me was The Preacher, portrayed brilliantly by Rodney Hrvatin. His intense vocals during Made in America, along with the ensemble, became the earworm I took home with me.
Zachary Baseby’s Ted Hinton demonstrates significant growth as a performer. His nuanced portrayal of the lawman torn between duty and unrequited love is compelling. Baseby’s rendition of “You Can Do Better than Him” is a vocal and emotional high point, and his simmering anger in Act Two adds tension to the unfolding drama.
The law enforcement team, including Tom Moore (Sheriff Schmid), Alastair Veitch (Cop), Axel Moen (Guard), Ben Todd (Texas Ranger Hamer), Dawn Ross (Governor Ferguson), Jamie Wright (Bob Alcorn), and Jarrad Prest (Deputy Johnson), each carve out distinct, believable characters. Their collective work culminates in a tense and well-choreographed shootout, adding to the production’s realism and excitement.
Claire Burbeck (Emma Parker) and Merici Thompson (Cumie Barrow) bring heartfelt sincerity to their roles as the mothers of Bonnie and Clyde. Their performances ground the story, reminding the audience of the personal costs of the outlaws’ choices.
Kristian Latella as Clyde Barrow embodies the reckless charisma and ambition of the legendary outlaw. His performance is layered, capturing both the bravado and vulnerability of a man driven by dreams and desperation. Latella’s chemistry with Ava-Rose Askew’s ravishing redheaded Bonnie Parker is electric. Askew is mesmerizing as Bonnie, delivering a perfect performance that is equal parts fiery and heartbreaking. Her vocal prowess and emotional range are evident in every song and scene, and her rapid-fire costume changes are executed with seamless professionalism.
The relationship between Bonnie and Clyde is the heart of the show, and Latella and Askew make the audience root for them, despite their criminal path. Their duets are highlights, filled with longing, excitement, and the tragic inevitability that shadows their story. The trust and connection between the two leads is palpable, a result of extensive rehearsal and mutual respect.
The set design is both simple and effective, utilizing the Arts Theatre’s fly system and a stage scrim to facilitate seamless scene changes. The initial reveal of the set is impressive, and the use of projected visual media adds depth and context. A particularly memorable touch is the “Brum-shaped surprise” hidden behind a set panel, which delights the audience. Rachel Lee’s creation of the giant flag that hangs as a backdrop is a striking visual element that anchors the production’s sense of time and place.
Lighting in Act One experienced some minor timing issues, but these were less noticeable in the second act. Unfortunately, microphone problems persisted throughout the performance, with some cues missed or audio cutting out during dialogue, which is a shame. These technical hiccups are hopefully limited to opening night and will be resolved before too long.
There are content warnings for this production, including violence, gun violence, strobe lighting, loud noises, and is rated MA15+. While the presence of young performers in the cast may attract younger audiences in support, the mature themes and content make it unsuitable for children, which is a shame, because EVERYBODY should witness MCMT’s brilliant Adelaide-premiere!
Comments
Post a Comment