Theatre

The story of the infamous couple Bonnie and Clyde is well known throughout America.  They ran wild during the Great Depression.  Clyde had always admired the story of Billy the Kid as his younger version sings out “bang, bang, you’re dead” with his rifle.  Bonnie had always wanted to be a famous movie star, on the big silver screen.  She was a respectable girl, working as a waitress at a local diner.  It is not until her car breaks down on the road that she meets the young hooligan Clyde, at this point having escaped from prison.  They passionately fall in love, and Bonnie immediately falls into Clyde’s troublesome ways.  They travel around together, holding up banks and killing people (though it is never proven that Bonnie ever pulled a trigger), to make their way.  They begin as lower class blue collar individuals, but end in high style, sporting a fedora and beret as they are ambushed in their T-Model ford, shot to death.

This musical was one of my favorites.  The music was overwhelming and powerful.  The actors had amazing voices, and were able to power belt the wonderful tunes.  The acting was superb as well, as the audience sympathized for both Bonnie and Clyde.  I was routing for them along their journey, and I pitied them as they had to resort to robbery.  There was never a dull moment, as the music was always a pick-up and the acting carried the story along.

The staging was equally superb.  Pictures were projected onto wood planked walls, allowing the audience to witness the real Bonnie and Clyde along with authentic newspaper articles of the time.  We were able to see their victims as well as their family members.  Video footage was displayed of their death: the car was shown with bullet holes, and their bodies were shown being removed from the car.  It made the story that more tragic.

Overall, it was an upbeat take on the grim story of the dangerous duo.  Both Jeremy Jordan and Laura Osnes amazingly portrayed these historical figures.  It’s a great show for all ages, as it is compelling for adults yet fun and energizing for children.