The Scarlet Letter Musical

Based on the novel by: Nathanial Hawthorne

Book, Lyrics and Music by: Kenady Sean & Christine Hand Jones

Directed by: Rebecca Lowrey

Produced by: MusicalWriters.com Productions

Audience Rating: G
Running Time: Two hours with one 15-minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available

ASL Showing: April 11th at 7:30pm

Sound Level: Comfortable
Audio/Visuals To Prepare For: Not applicable

Reviewed by Dan C. Rogers

Now showing at the Rosewood Center Family Arts in East Dallas is an inspiring melodic almost operatic telling of the classic The Scarlet Letter. What a treat to experience the creative team of Dallas based Kenady Sean and Christine Hand Jones working with MusicalWriters.com Productions delicately giving voice to Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale and the struggle to co-exist with rigid Puritan standards and the shame of adultery with the determination to turn that ‘A’ into a badge of survival and a spark for rebellion.

In her role of Hester the extremely talented Lexi Neito started out delicate and fragile and then exploded with the almost hypnotic and rhapsodic “And The Baby Cries" in a cascade of rhymes and couplets and patter to grab the boisterous audience members by the ear and alert them that she is not so fragile after all.

Many accolades belong to the creative direction of Rebecca Lowrey, working with choreographer Christina Kudlicki, as the movement and blocking of numerous cast members was almost ballet-like with hands and arms as extensions of mood and setting. The placement of patterns and poses amplified the words being sung with flair and imagination.

Kudos to Ben Meaders as the Rev. Dimmesdale, whose voice was not lightweight. It communicated anxiety and guilt and internal conflict. Countered by an imposing Roger Chillingworth from Ben Phillips, scheming and resentful in a baritone/tenor combination of frustration and vengeance. The mixture of voices and the intertwining of theme and melody from the ensemble was practically sinful. (Yes, I intended that one.)

Victoria Gomez as Pearl sang on that proscenium stage with a beautifully rich and full a voice. Narrator Melania MacDonald guided and comforted with charm and sincerity and sang fabulously.

The projections on a screen aided in imagining the setting that was accented by simple movable structures between the scenes and easily positioned by cast and crew. Opening night was witnessed by an energetic and friendly audience. We can hope others find their way to this applause worthy undertaking that runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 9, 10, 11 and then again April 16, 17, 18 followed by a one-night performance in NYC April 25. It is truly ready for New York. The creative team of Kenady Sean and Christine Hand Jones have a precious gem the Dallas patrons of musicals should value. Tickets are available at musicalwriters.com/thescarletlettermusical

Take the tincture of talent and creativity of The Scarlet Letter Musical as just what the doctor ordered.