Reviewed by Laura Kennelly
Now this is the way to teach history! (Or, “never let the facts get in the way of a fun lyric or plot twist.”) The bouncy rock musical, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, gives the audience plenty to enjoy and its energetic and talented cast plenty to do in this Studio Theatre production directed by Scott Spence.
Dan Folino gave the title character the heart, soul, and sexy energy the role demands (as well as bloody good vocals). Hester Lewellen, in a wheelchair, lent perspective and humor (especially when she returned as an angel) as the “storyteller.” Keri René Fuller as Rachel, his much-maligned wife (gossip moved more slowly then, but just as viciously as it does now), sang clearly and sweetly (despite some problems caused by sound mixers opening night). The rest of the ensemble joined into the spirit of the show as Indians, politicians, and other rowdies.
The band (Dennis Yurick, bandleader and guitar), Ingrid Lang (bassist), and Jason Giaco (drummer) were so good that even when they were playing the “filing out of the theatre music” most people stayed in their chairs, listening. No one wanted to leave.
The chronological yarn written by Alex Timbers purports to tell the life of Andrew Jackson, hero of the Battle of New Orleans, Indian fighter, plantation owner, founder of the newly created Democratic Party and the seventh President of the United States. It was an interesting era, no one was quite sure, yet, whether the United States would follow the strong leader monarch model of Great Britain or not. Jackson’s desire to speak for “the people” took care of that (kinda).
But in the hands of New Yorker (and Yale graduate) Timbers, the musical seems the creation of someone who either slept through or totally skipped American history classes. Overall, the show’s frenzied pace captures the spirit of the times, noting that pioneer families died suddenly (though Jackson’s didn’t die with amusing thwunking arrows in their backs) and political parties were as crazy then as they are today. But simple things will leave viewers rushing to their wikis to check facts. For example, what’s the point of the concluding song “Hunters of Kentucky.” (Why Kentucky? Jackson’s home was in Tennessee. Maybe they got him confused with Daniel Boone? Or was it supposed to be about Henry Clay? Unclear.) Now, yes, it might be more of a challenge to work “Tennessee” into the lyric beat, but come on, Michael Friedman (music & lyrics), give it a try.
Bottom line: An upbeat, spirited, very musical (emo and all) fantasy rock event that creates an excellent reason to take in a show on a summer night.
Bloody runs through July 1, 2012. Call 216-521-2540 for tickets or information. http://BeckCenter.org.
Laura Kennelly is a freelance arts journalist, a member of the Music Critics Association of North America, and an associate editor of BACH, a scholarly journal devoted to J. S. Bach and his circle.Listening to and learning more about music has been a life-long passion. She knows there’s no better place to do that than the Cleveland area.
3 Responses to “REVIEW: Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson @ The Beck Center 5/25/12”
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Dennis Yurich
The Hunters of Kentucky, also called The Battle of New Orleans and Half Horse or Half Alligator, was a song written in 1821 to commemorate Andrew Jackson’s victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans. In both 1824 and 1828 Jackson used the song as his campaign song during his Presidential campaigns.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunters_of_Kentucky
Laura Kennelly
Thanks for the info, Dennis. Appreciate the feedback–.