10/20/2012
Thank you Brian Sands for posting this review of the show:
Whether you're a Democrat or a Republican, you owe it to yourself to get to the Mid City Theatre to see BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON. This wildly imaginative musical about the 7th President of the United States has been given a production by Director A.J. Allegra that's actually better than the original one in New York. While he similarly brings out all the humor and the many ideas/political comme
ntary that're in the script, navigating between them with the utmost of clarity, by keeping the focus more squarely on Jackson (rather than "the people") he movingly conveys the emotional toll that his actions have taken on him.
Likewise, Lucas Harms, who has thusfar played light romantic leads in musicals, unlike Benjamin Walker, the original AJ, reveals a more anguished side of the President; and while Walker was certainly cute, Harms has a rugged handsomeness more in keeping with Jackson's frontiersman image and such other Oval Office residents as Kennedy and Clinton--this is someone who you actually believe would wind up on the $20 bill rather than just on the cover of Us Magazine. Harm's ruthless charisma makes Mitt and Barack seem like amateurs. And I doubt they could sing the challenging emo rock score as superbly as he does.
Though there is not a weak link in the entire cast, Leslie Limberg as Jackson's wife and Keith Claverie as Vice President Martin Van Buren (among other roles) especially stand out. Kudos to the 3 G's of the design team Katie Gelfand (costumes), Su Gonczy (lights) and Kevin Griffith (set) as well as Musical Director Natalie True.
BBAJ runs thru Nov. 3. Three days later we go to the polls to elect a president. Do not miss this impassioned and thought-provoking show to see how little things have changed since 1828.
