By Dale King
Bonnie and Clyde, the Musical, may not be the most memorable show ever staged at Florida Atlantic University. But it could easily be the most unusual. It certainly prompts the cast to overcome a sluggish script and sometimes intrusive backstory with their excellent acting and exceptional vocal skills.
The tuneful recollection of the famed outlaws who achieved folk hero status robbing stores and banks and killing cops during the Great Depression playing through July 27 as part of FAU’s Festival Rep 2014, alternating with August: Osage County at the Boca Raton campus. The Festival Rep series gives students and alums from the Department of Theatre and Dance an opportunity to work with Equity performers to better their acting skills.
Composer Frank Wildhorn, known for writing songs for rock and country vocalists, and who penned the hit, “Where do Broken Hearts Go?” for Whitney Houston, has gained success drafting musicals about oddball subjects — Dracula and Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde among them. So it’s not surprising he would concoct a tune-packed retelling of the B&C legend, with help from lyricist Don Black and book writer Ivan Menchell.
Bonnie and Clyde, the Musical, is challenging, but the cast rises to meet the obstacles. The script clearly goes for the heart — and not with a bullet. Compared to Arthur Penn’s violent 1967 film, Bonnie and Clyde, this show is much kinder and gentler.
As the title characters, Alana Ernst and Bruno Faria combine excellent acting and vocal talents to front a long list of fellow performers generally well-schooled in their stage skills. Bonnie Parker is a starry-eyed girl with Hollywood aspirations and a fondness for Clara Bow, the “It” girl. Clyde Barrow is a natural-born troublemaker who wants to steal enough money to have a wonderful life. Ernst and Faria are preceded to the stage by young Bonnie (Emily D’Addio) and young Clyde (Michael Materdomini) who smartly set the stage for the arrival of their elder selves.
Besides highlighting the passion shared by Bonnie and Clyde, the musical focuses on Clyde’s brother, Buck (Bradley Wells), whose wife, Blanche (Ashlley Rodriguez) desperately tries to keep him out of trouble. Ted Hinton (Andrew Spinelli) is a local cop who just as desperately loves Bonnie and puts his heart and soul into pulling her away from Clyde.
The show’s musical score — honored with a 2012 Tony Award — is a mix of soft, sultry songs with some blues and gospel numbers. Ernst and Faria combine for “This World Will Remember Me,” reprised later as “This World Will Remember Us” when the pair solidifies its relationship. “How ‘bout a Dance” features Ernst alone, in a solo that underscores her singing talent.
In Act II, with the feds moving in on the Barrow gang, Ernst and Faria vocalize “Too Late to Turn Back Now,” which hints at second thoughts. Rodriguez offers a sweet, bluesy refrain, “That’s What You Call a Dream.”
The preacher, played by Equity actor Wayne LeGette, performs “God’s Arms Are Always Open” in both Act I and Act II, but for different situations. D’Addio and Materdomini return as young Bonnie and Clyde to join Spinelli with “Finale Reprises.” Spinelli and Rodriguez, who have appeared in local community theater, exhibit their clear, distinct vocal abilities. Chris Boike portrays Sheriff Schmid with muscle and bulk.
The cast also includes Elizabeth Price as Bonnie’s mom and Kim Ostrenko as Texas Gov. “Ma” Ferguson, who demands the capture of Bonnie and Clyde. In a bit of actual history, retired Texas Ranger Frank A. Hamer (Jack Kelly) is hired to lead the search. In real life, Hamer and Hinton were among the six police officers who ambushed and killed Bonnie and Clyde in their car in Bienville Parish, La., in May 1934.
Bruce Linser directs this tragic drama, which includes a seven-member live orchestra backstage, led by musical director Paul Reekie. The music blends seamlessly with the voices on stage.
Bonnie and Clyde, the Musical runs through July 27, and August: Osage County plays through July 26. Weekend shows alternate. Summer Rep ends with a piano gala Aug. 1 and big band concerts Aug. 2 and 3. For a performance schedule and tickets, visit fau.edu/festivalrep/ or call 561-564-9539