Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Over at Paper Mill Playhouse, the exciting new musical GUN & POWDER stakes its claim to greatness

• By drediman
• April 21, 2024
• No Comments

Over at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ, I had the great opportunity to catch up with the epic new musical Gun & Powder. Concocted by the exciting up-and-coming writing team of Angelica Chéri (book and lyrics) and Ross Baum (music), the piece was previously seen in a different production at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA, where it received notable acclaim. The musical recounts the “mostly true” story of Martha and Mary Clarke, mixed-race sisters who — in order to save their Black mother and community from eviction — attempt to pass as white women to muster up some quick money. In the process, they somehow fall on the wrong side of the law, evolving into outright outlaws.

In short, Gun & Powder is one of the most daring and original musicals I’ve seen recently, defiantly eschewing the tried-and-true musical theater formula as it stakes its claim to greatness. Chéri and Baum mash up genres and issues — Western, satire, racial reckoning, earnest musical theater — to subversive, often thrilling, and ultimately moving effect. Much of the score is stunning — an eclectic array of songs that pop with urgency and theatricality. As it stands, the piece isn’t quite there yet, particularly with respect to its book. The storytelling could use more shape and focus (e.g., exactly how the sisters turn into outlaws could use more clarity), but that’s merely a function of the ambitious scope of the piece. The musical could also benefit from leaning more aggressively into the story’s inherent danger, darkness, and audacity. But make no mistake, there’s an awful lot of potential here, and I eagerly look forward to the next step in its journey (presumably to Broadway).

Similarly, the caustic staging by Tony-nominated director Stevie Walker-Webb (Ain’t No Mo’) is very much on the right path; I could only imagine what a bit more time and money could do to sharpen and heighten production’s aesthetic. As it stands, it already packs a considerable punch, thanks largely to the pointed contributions of choreographer Tiffany Rea-Fisher. As for the performances, they’re already also accomplished, particularly Ciara Renée and Liisi LaFontaine as Mary and Martha, respectively, as well as Jeannette Bayardelle as their mother Tallulah. Each of these performances taps into a deep well of feeling, manifesting themselves in soaring vocals that raise the roof and shake the soul.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

GUN & POWDER
Regional, Musical
Paper Mill Playhouse
2 hours, 30 minutes (with one intermission)
Through May 5