It’s said that the true test of a musical is whether or not you’re humming the tunes as you leave the theater. If that is so, then Sondheim’s “Assassins” ably qualifies. The entire cast sings “Everybody’s Got a Right to Be Happy.” Only in this case, “everybody” includes the scoundrels and criminally insane individuals who’ve either assassinated—or attempted to assassinate—a president of the United States.
Sondheim’s Grand Guignol musical was originally scheduled to hit Broadway in 1991. Due to the Gulf War and the country’s uber-patriotic mood, however, its material was deemed inappropriate and the play was shelved. Ten years later, it was postponed again due to 9/11. Finally the musical premiered at Roundabout in 2004 (when we first saw and loved it), then went on to win a Tony Award.
A great play starts with a great idea: in this case, it’s looking at history from the losers’ point of view. Lee Harvey Oswald and John Wilkes Booth are perhaps the best known of these assassins, all of whom, Sondheim and John Weidman contend, had either personal reasons for committing the crime (for actor Booth, it was bad reviews) or were just plain loony tunes from the get-go. Some, like Leon Czolgosz who shot McKinley (and who is played by Brandon Uranowitz) were anarchists, protesting what they considered a corrupt government. Another, Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme (Tavi Gevonson), believed she was carrying out the will of Charles Manson.
Every one of these losers is a winner in the current Classic Stage production. The award for best voice, IMHO, goes to Stephen Pasquale as JW Booth. For zaniest performance, Will Swenson takes the prize as Charles Guiteau, the man who shot James Garfield because he believed he was denied an ambassadorship to France. For most likely to amuse, the hands-down honors go to Judy Kuhn as Sara Jane Moore, the housewife who attempted to shoot President Ford.
Ethan Slater (nominated for a Tony in “Spongebob Squarepants” a few years back) is excellent as the Balladeer/Narrator—and as the
play closes, assumes the role of Oswald. This is perhaps the most disturbing part of the evening as the assassination of JFK is re-enacted.
“Assassins” is my favorite Sondheim musical after “Company” because like all great art, it not only makes you uncomfortable, but also causes you to view a subject in a totally different way. When the entire ensemble sings “Where’s My Prize,” for example, you suddenly realize these people actually got the attention they craved—as well as something they didn’t anticipate: everlasting infamy in the history books.
Ah, only from the late great Stephen Sondheim. And only around for a couple of months. See it—if you dare (and if you can get tickets).
Thanks for this.
I saw it years ago, but often listen to the soundtrack.
Didn’t realize it had such a starry Broadway cast.
Quite fascinating. Thank you.