Friday, January 18, 2019

review - BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON - Spotlight Youth Theatre

Brody Wurr and cast
photo by Joanne Wastchak
highlights from local critics reviews - (click link at bottom of each review to read complete review)

Click here for more information on this production that runs through January 27th.

"Several years before Alexander Hamilton got his shot at having his life turned into an award-winning Broadway musical, the story of another historical political figure, Andrew Jackson, was musicalized in the satirical rock musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. While this show didn't have much of a Broadway run in 2010, it is a high-energy musical that mixes history with satire and a punk rock score to depict the controversial life of the seventh president of the United States. Spotlight Youth Theatre's production has an exceptional cast, spirited direction, and a smoking band....blends political incorrectness with fact and fiction to tell the complex and provocative story of Jackson. ..satirically presents Jackson as a rock star with a steady stream of fans, which ties perfectly into the fact that Jackson was the first populist United States president...even though it takes a couple of scenes for the musical to fully jell, it has some upbeat and inventive songs, a poignant ending, and creates a complex portrayal of Jackson's strengths and weaknesses. It also proves to be especially relevant to our current political climate. Spotlight's production, under Kenny Grossman's spotless direction, hits all the right marks with the perfect blend of sarcastic humor and social significance. With an abundance of charism and the perfect swagger of an egotistical rocker, Brody Wurr is superb as Jackson. ..Savoy Antoinette plays Jackson's wife Rachel and she brings passion to the part....The unconventional musical may not be exactly perfect, and it presents a lot of information and asks a lot of difficult questions. However, by doing so, it makes for a rich, rocking blend of history and humor. " -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)

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