Presented as part of BCT’s edgy, alternative Edge of the Creek Productions and set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, “Bonnie and Clyde” dramatizes the infamous relationship between legendary criminals Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.
Desperate for fame, the passionate duo and their trusty gang, which included Clyde’s older brother Buck and his wife Blanche, swept through Texas as murderers and bank robbers ultimately becoming folk heroes in the process. The musical is a cautionary tale addressing the dangers and consequences of bold and reckless love when the crave for thrilling adventure consumes beyond control.
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“Bonnie and Clyde’s intense love for each other stemmed from challenging one another,” explained director and scenic designer Chris Harmon. “They finally met their match when they met each other. They fight and are constantly at each other’s throats but they still make up. Their lives were a delicate balance. They were heroes but also outlaws at the same time.”
“At the end of the day, this story is about two lovers,” echoed TJ Montgomery, who portrays the suave and calculating Clyde. “They struggle with living the dangerous life they’ve gotten themselves into and are not really sure if they want to stop or not. Clyde is very much a man with typical male feelings. He feels happiness, sadness and even remorse about his actions at times. It’s not a matter of him misunderstanding right or wrong (because) he knows what he is doing.
“But things change when he meets Bonnie. He starts to consider settling down at some point once they get enough money. The robberies are no longer petty crimes that give them a rush but more so set the long-term game of eventually spending his days with Bonnie as well as Buck and Blanche with a life of riches. It’s interesting to really dig into the idea of someone who by no means should be the hero and play him almost as such within the (context) of this story. It would be easy to play Clyde as the villainous jerk, but there is fun in making him someone you root for.”
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On Broadway, “Bonnie and Clyde” was short-lived — only running for 36 performances following 33 previews. Even so, Wildhorn and Black duly received a Tony Award nomination for their tuneful, country and pop-flavored score. The songs include upbeat toe-tappers “This World Will Remember Me” and “When I Drive” as well as beautiful ballads “How ‘Bout a Dance,” “You Love Who You Love,” “That’s What You Call a Dream,” “What Was Good Enough for You,” and “Dyin’ Ain’t So Bad.”
“All of the songs help open a window to who these people really were,” Harmon said. “My favorite is ‘Dyin’ Ain’t So Bad.’ It breaks my heart and is sung by Bonnie toward the end of the show. It says so much about her not wanting to live her life without Clyde.”
The principal cast includes Kami Flanders as Bonnie Parker, Samuel Hamilton as Buck Barrow, Jackie Darnell as Blanche Barrow, Aaron Brewer as Ted Hinton, Micah Koverman as Young Clyde, and Reese Hornick as Young Bonnie. The ensemble includes Emma Alexander, Kathleen Arreloa, Christy Carson, Amanda Carter, Josh Clifford, Jordan Ewing, Mark Kennedy, Cassidy Manley, Matthew Owens, Vicki Tuccillo, and Kailey Yeakley.
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“I adore this show (which) has humor, death, love, emotional peaks, and strong music,” added Montgomery whose previous credits include BCT’s “Spring Awakening” and Playhouse South’s “Heathers: The Musical” and “American Idiot.” “This show will resonate with audiences because you really get to dive in and see almost the behind the scenes footage of the real life Bonnie and Clyde and the many people they met in their crusade. Those deleted scenes and missing pages that weren’t necessarily a part of the history books kind of gets fleshed out and told stylistically by Chris Harmon’s incredible vision.”
Fittingly, BCT’s production coincides with the 50th anniversary of the classic 1967 film “Bonnie and Clyde” starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway. Directed by Arthur Penn and featuring Estelle Parsons’ Academy Award-winning portrayal of Blanche Barrow, the landmark film will return to cinemas across the country Sunday, Aug. 13 and Wednesday, Aug. 16.
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What: "Bonnie and Clyde – The Musical"
Where: The Lofino Center, 3868 Dayton-Xenia Rd, Beavercreek
When: June 16-25; 8 p.m. Fridays; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays
Cost: $15 for adults; $12 for students and seniors
Tickets: Call (937) 429-4737, e-mail boxoffice@bctheatre.org or visit online at www.bctheatre.org.
FYI: Patrons are advised the show contains adult themes and language as well as strong lighting and sound effects.
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