By Linda Harcom
There are times when I go to the theatre and I am truly amazed at the level of talent we have in our area. Saturday night was one of those times, when I attended Split Stage’s production of the musical Bonnie & Clyde.
From the opening number featuring pre-teens Antolena Damico and Simon Nigam as Young Bonnie and Young Clyde, I knew this show was going to be something special. The two young actors both gave performances that were vocally well beyond their years. I had seen Nigam previously in the Pittsburgh CLO’s production of A Christmas Carol and it was nice to see how this young talent has grown and matured over the past couple of years. The pair’s performances made an impact throughout the show, right up to and including at the very end.
As impressed as I was with the younger versions of the characters, I was not at all disappointed when their adult versions took the stage. I had last seen Victoria Buchtan, fresh out of high school, when she played Julia in The Geyer Performing Arts Center’s Wedding Singer. Since then the actress has put the training she received at Robert Morris University to good use, and has grown dramatically as an actress and a vocalist. Her portrayal of the young woman, desperate to escape the small-town life in depression era West Texas to become a star, was spot-on. Her transformation from a girl with a bit of fire in her, who encourages Clyde to try to go straight, into one that is fearless in the face of gun fire seemed effortless.
Brendan Conaway’s performance as Clyde Barrow matched Buchtan’s in intensity and vocally. Having seen Conway as the Balladeer in Split Stage’s production of Assassins, I was looking forward to seeing him take on this role. He did not disappoint in any way. He not only brought the right amount of intensity to the role that is required, but also the charm, charisma, and depth that makes you like and feel for the legendary criminal.
The harmonies and chemistry between the Buchtan and Conaway made their performances not only a delight to the ear but also very believable.
Another stand-out was Mike Hamilla as Clyde’s brother Buck Barrow. Hamilla is well-known on the stages of Westmoreland and Fayette County for giving strong performances in whatever role he takes on. His portrayal of Buck showed a wide range of his acting ability from his great comedic timing, to his final scene which he made incredibly realistic, where a lesser actor could have easily under or over acted. Vocally he equaled the performances of the aforementioned actors, and his duet with Conaway, “When I Drive,” was one of my favorite numbers of the evening.
Hamilla’s chemistry with Rori Aiello Mull made it easy to believe they were a married couple. Their banter during most of the show provided some much needed lighthearted and even laugh-out-loud moments in an at times emotionally heavy show. Like Hamilla, Mull was able to show the range of her acting skills by making the darker, more emotional moments ring true as well.
The show itself is not your typical musical. The non-traditional score includes blues, rockabilly and even gospel music. Music Director Eric Barchiesi did a great job with not only conducting the orchestra but in working with the entire cast on the variety of music. Each musical number was very strong, and every cast member had strong vocals throughout. I would be remiss if I failed to mention Ryan Hadbavny and Josh Reardon’s vocals as Ted Hinton and the Preacher. Neither man disappointed with their numbers.
In fact, there was no weak link in the cast. Director/Choreographer Laura Wurzell did a great job. It was the best cast, as a whole, I have seen in a Split Stage production.
I liked the minimalistic set designed by Bill Mitas. It, along with Wurzell’s direction, easily transported you from location to location seamlessly.
The use of caps or blanks for the gun fire was surprising each time it happened and caused many to jump in their seat, including yours truly. But it did add an element of reality to the heavy subject matter that the songs and comedic scenes at times made you forget were coming.
The only criticism I could find with the show was with the book itself. The entire show seems to move quickly until midway through the second act. There it dragged on a little, but the action quickly picked back up.
While most know how the story inevitably ends, watching the show one wonders how will it be portrayed. The end scene was handled in a way that was quite moving by blending the reality of the end of real life couple with that of their on-stage counterparts.
Overall, the show is filled with great music, some lighthearted moments, and some very deep emotional ones as well. It takes you on a journey that humanizes these larger-than-life outlaws and helps you to understand their possible motivations for choosing the paths that led them to infamy.
Bonnie and Clyde runs through February 16th at the Lamp Theatre in Irwin. For more information on tickets, visit Lamp Theatre’s site, and for more information on future productions, visit Split Stage.
Linda Harkcom is a freelance writer whose writing has appeared in most newspapers in South Western Pennsylvania. She has covered the theatre scene in Westmoreland and Fayette County for almost 10 years. Having raised two actors, she is the author of DearTheaterMom.com where she gives advice to parents who have children in or thinking of entering the entertainment field. She is also the editor of WPAEntertainmentnews.com a new blog focusing on entertainment in Western Pennsylvania.
Categories: Archived Reviews