Review, Record-Eagle, Nancy Sundstrom

Cast list

'Assassins' some of OTP's best work yet

Show runs throught Sept. 25

by Nancy Sundstrom

Special to the Record-Eagle

TRAVERSE CITY - For 45 years, Traverse City's Old Town Playhouse has consistently delivered crowd-pleasing productions of Broadway musicals, comedies and Shakespearean classics.

It's a testament to their evolving artistry that they have also begun incorporating lesser-known, yet bold and important works, such as last spring's "Art" and this year's "Proof," into their season schedule.

Such is the case with "Assassins," an original, intelligent, dark and darkly comedic musical by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman. OTP opened its new season last night with this harrowing, yet moving examination of the underbelly of the American Dream. The play runs through Saturday, Sept. 25. You will be well-served to reserve your tickets now, because as word of this first-rate show spreads, they'll go quickly.

First presented on Broadway in 1991, "Assassins" is an adult-oriented show with some strong language and violence that evokes a fraternity of presidential assassins and word-be assassins spanning 100 years of American history. Among some of the more notorious are John Wilkes Booth (Brian Dungjen), Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme (Amanda Strong), John Hinckley (Nick Pilarksi) and Lee Harvey Oswald (Jody Kluck). Others are Leon Czolgosz (Bart Ingraham), Charles Guiteau (Rob Stowe), Samuel Byck (Al Lien), Sara Jane Moore (Jennifer Archibald) and Giuseppe Zanagara (Daniel Jablonski).

No matteer what the era or their individual backgrounds, which span the Civil War to the Reagon Administration and disillusioned immigrant to suburban housewife, their real-life characters all have in common a burning desire to be happy and find their 15 minutes of fame. Because this is America, anything is possible. You can grown up to be president, but on the flip side of the coin, you can also grow up to kill one.

"Everybody's got the right to be happy," sings the Proprietor (Phil Murphy) at the show's onset. "If you keep your goal in sight, you can climb to any height." "Everybody's got the right to their dreams," he adds, pressing a gun into Hinckley's hand, a move that will lead to the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan in 1981 as part of an attempt to impress actress Jodie Foster.

From there on, the show seamlessly moves across time periods, interconnecting characters and plots that reinforce that America is not only a place where dreams do come true, but so do horrifying events like assassination, and with a horrifying pattern of frequency and consistency in terms of motives.

It's no small statement that on stage is, arguably, some of the best work yet from a number of OTP veterans, starting with Director Terry Lawrence ("Jesus Christ Superstar"). The sames goes for actions Dungjen, Brett Nichols (Balladeer), Ingraham, Lien, Murphy and Archibald.

Given that these performers all have an extensive list of credits that demonstrate considerable range, their work in "Assassins" is especially impressive, particularly in regard to vocal delivery. All are in remarkable voice, and some credit for that goes to Vocal Director Tom Stokes.

An impressive group of OTP newcomers also register strongly holding their own with the veterans. I hope we see more from Stowe, Jablonski, Pilarski, Kluck and Strong, along with Bonnie Deigh, who is a standout in the non-vocal role of anarchist Emma Goldman.

Rounding out the cast are Taylor, Beia, Wizard, Tom Pritchard, Sherry Burford, Hendges MacDonald, Don Kuehlhorn, Michelle Perez, Elizabeth Stewart and Billie Thompson.

One of the many artistic successes of "Assassins" is that all of the cast work together first and foremost as an ensemble, while still letting their individual strengths shine through. There are many memorable moments throughout the evening, which runs a lean one hour and 45 minutes -- and wisely without an intermission. Most come from collaborative work, such as a moving duet ("Unworthy of Your Love"), a charming scene between Goldman and Czolgosz and an equally chilling one between Booth and Hinckley.

Balancing them as some unforgettable individual moments, such as Guiteau screaming from the gallows that he will be remembered, the Proprietor showing several assassins how to use their guns, and Booth questioning why redneck killers usually have three names, from his own to James Earl Ray and Lee Harvey Oswald.

Much like the cast, supplementing Lawrence's tight direction are technical contributions that are all individually specific, yet work in collaboration to give the show realism, focus and definition. Special notes of recognition go to Sam Clark (music director), Cinder Conlon (lighting designer), Mike Nunn (set designer), Kathy Verstraete (costumer), Gary Bolton (sound), and Wizard and Stacy Griffiths (projections).

There is much that can make one queasy about the subject matter of "Assassins," but the bottom line is that this high-wire piece of theater is an important one because it is a reflection of our society -- both what makes it great and what makes it fearsome. The fact that we come to care for the characters here through the course of Sondheim's show and OTP's version of it is a testament to what can be accomplished through the magic and power of quality theater.

"Assassins" runs today, September. 9-11, 16-18 and 23-25 at 8 p.m., and on Sundays, Sept. 12 and 19 at 3 p.m. Single tickets are $20, with a student and senior rate of $16 on Thursdays only. For more information or reservations, call 946-2443, fax 947-4955, or visit OTP web site at www.oldtownplayhouse.com

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Audition Notice:
ASSASSINS is a dark musical comedy about the various people who have tried to assassinate US Presidents. It contains very strong language (the F-word and the S-word among others). A lot of guns go off. More than that, the show contains a brilliant and moving Stephen Sondheim score and an opportunity to participate in a show they'll be talking about for years. ASSASSINS has parts for men and women of all ages and many small roles (some non-speaking).
NOTE: Because we have a summer rehearsal schedule, every effort will be made to work around people's schedules. Don't let a planned vacation or softball/golf league stand in your way. Try out.

We need: 12 men, 5 women, 1 boy (age 10-14). Not all parts require singing. No dancing involved.

Director: Terry Lawrence Musical Director: Sam Clark Vocal Director: Tom Stokes
Producer: Margaret Schaal Stage Manager: Jenn Miles

MEN:
John Wilkes Booth, age 27
Charles Guiteau, age 41
Leon Czolgosz, age 29
Guiseppe Zangara, Italian immigrant, age 33
Samuel Byck, 44 -- doesn¹t sing much
John Hinckley, age 23
Lee Harvey Oswald, age 24 - no singing
The Balladeer: any age, folksinger
Bartender: any age. Sings opening song
By Standers: 2 men any age (maybe double as a President)
NON-SINGERS: Various Presidents, announcers, priests, wardens, Soldiers, etc. One or two lines or no lines each.

WOMEN:
Sara Jane Moore, age 45
Squeaky Fromme, age 27
Emma Goldman, age 25
Bystanders: 2 women

BOY - age 10-14. Must have parental permission to be in a show with very strong language.

Four CREW members will be in costume in certain scenes.
Can be Male or Female. Can double in some non-speaking roles.

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