In 1991 a show opened "off-Broadway" in New York that was called a " Killer Musical" by Stephen Sondheim (with book by John Weidman); it was simply entitled Assassins. This piece is a look at the dark side of the human experience where presidential assassins and would-be assassins meet and discuss the whys and wherefores of "their dream." We get an insight into their reasons for what they are planning and see how their decisions affected both their own lives and national history.
While the music in this show is not, for the most part, "hummable" (and many have a strange resemblance to the melodies of "Into The Woods"), the songs are clever in storytelling. You cannot help but laugh at the irony of "Look on The Bright Side," done with great style by Tom Weber as Charles Guiteau who shot President Garfield. This actor has a great deal of fun in this role and even though he plays a killer, you cannot help but enjoy his character. The two female leads, Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme (Kate Staiger) and Sara Jane Moore (Sara Sevigny) have scenes that are truly show-stoppers, and I believe it was ensemble member CW van Baale who did the best Gerald Ford I have seen. Kevin M. Grubb is also fun to watch as he handles Sam Byck, the man set to get Nixon. John Brynes plays a fine-tuned John Wilkes Booth, and Matthew E. Wilson as The Balladeer has just the right touch.
The very energetic ensemble works in a small venue at the Storefront Theater without mikes and with a solid group of musicians (in some cases, unfortunately, drowning them out) but together they provide some very chilling musical pieces. Photos projected on the back wall give the historical framework as all of these assassins (and would-be's) come to the book depository in Dallas to change to life of one Lee Harvey Oswald (Chick Patella, who truly looks the part).
All in all, I would have to say that director Chris Maher has assembled a fine cast to bring these characters to life, and Andrea Velis Simon musical direction is just right. The set is simple, but Deanna L. Zibello has made it work within the limitations of a "black box theater." The ensemble is made up of Carmen Aiello, Brigitte Ditmars, Adam Minegar and Michaela Petro, who play many roles and help to fit the pieces together.
Assassins
The Storefront Theater, Gallery 37
66 E. Randolph
through June 18th
Tickets: $15
Reservations: 312-742-8497 or online at www.dcatheater.org
Alan Bresloff writes theater reviews for the Chicago area.
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