BONNIE & CLYDE
Book by Ivan Menchell
Music by Frank Wildhorn
Lyrics by Don Black
Directed by Laura Alley
Reviewed by Glynda Welch
It would be a crime to miss Repertory Company Theatre’s Bonnie & Clyde. Sadly, there is only one opportunity remaining after Friday night’s opening. Call the box office at 972-690-5029 or go to www.rcttheatre.com to get your tickets for Saturday 7:30 pm or Sunday 2 pm. Heading into the theater I questioned whether the story of Dallas’ famous outlaw couple could be fashioned into an enjoyable musical. Director Laura Alley along with Choreographer Michelle Carter Levall and Alley’s Co-Musical Director Megan Liles answered my questions with a resounding yes.
Ally Van Deuren’s Bonnie Parker is an explosion of energy and ambition, gliding from femme fatale to gangster’s moll and back in seconds. Garrett Holton’s Clyde Barrow is jaded and cynical as a front for pain and vulnerability. Jacob Waters is Clyde’s brother Buck Barrow who is pulled between his brother and his wife, Blanche Barrow played by KyLea Ingram. These four principals carry the bulk of the storyline, but the large supporting cast and ensemble flesh out the details.
Especially notable are Clayton Younkin as Ted Hinton, the officer who yearns to save Bonnie; Ruth Ellen Heaton as Bonnie’s mother; Ashley Seal as Clara Bow; Brooke Bishop and Lucas Trammell as Young Brooke and Young Clyde respectively; and Mike Egan as Preacher.
Buck and Clyde (Waters and Holton) delight in the cleverly choreographed and rousing “When I Drive.” Blanche (Ingram) and the Salon Women are thoroughly entertaining in “You’re Going Back to Jail.” Preacher (Egan) and the Ensemble are moving in “God’s Arms Are Always Open” and “Made in America.” The ladies have their moments, too. Bonnie (Van Deuren) and Blanche (Ingram) share “You Love Who You Love.” Van Deuren teases with “How ‘Bout a Dance?” and Ingram breaks hearts with “That’s What You Call a Dream.” Clyde (Holton) joins Ted (Younkin) for the ballad “You Can Do Better Than Him.” Bonnie (Van Deuren) lays out her philosophy in “Dying Ain’t So Bad,” later joined by Clyde (Holton) for the reprise as the ill-fated lovers end their story.
The music and the choreography are interwoven into the story and the characters to make this a riveting production. There is no glorification of the life that the infamous couple chose, but enough background and insight into their life in depression-era America to humanize them. This reviewer highly recommends you open up a slot on your calendar to see Bonnie & Clyde.
Experience Live Theater!
Glynda Welch
Running Time: 2 ½ hours including 15 minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Performance: Not Available
Production Sound Level: Comfortable Sound Level
Noises or Visuals to Prepare for: Gunshots and Lighting effects
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