Theater: “Floyd Collins” @ Vivian Beaumont
Floyd Collins was an American cave explorer who became trapped and died in what became Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky.
Building a musical around this incident has proven to be a disaster in its own right.
I can think of no better adjective than inert for “Floyd Collins: the Musical,” now previewing at the Vivian Beaumont. That’s because after the first 15 minutes, Floyd Collins (played by the ordinarily charming Jeremy Jordan from “The Great Gatsby”) remains inert for 95 percent of the show. He remain seated in a chaise lounge on stage, reflecting his being trapped underground in a cave. He actually sings from this position, which seems particularly strange, as he often has to belt out a number.
The play moves back and forth between “down under” where Floyd is trapped, and the remote Kentucky town where his family lives. The incident gets local attention and is then followed by a feeding frenzy of reporters and Hollywood directors from around the country.
The book and direction, both by Tina Landau, are so cringe you have to wonder why anyone thought this was a good idea in the first place. Meanwhile, the mediocre songs and lyrics by Adam Guettel torture you—for three hours. (Note: Any resemblance between this score and country music is entirely coincidental.) FYI, Guettel is the grandson of Richard Rodgers and the son of Mary Rodgers—both musical talents who if they are listening in a far-off universe must be as appalled as I was.
The only actor who acquits himself with aplomb is Taylor Trensch who plays Skeeter, the local reporter who is skinny enough to crawl in the space that traps Floyd. He tries to save the guy. Better if he tried to save the show.
Other bold-faced names who drew the short straw and agreed to appear in this atrocity are Marc Kudisch, Jason Gotay and Jessica Molasky. The choreography (or “dance sequences” as they are called) are by Jon Rua.
Side note: about 25 years ago I had the misfortune to see “Spider-man” the musical. Every time the orchestra would play another song, a kid in the row in front of me whined, “Mommy, here comes that music again.” I then decided this was the worst musical I’d ever seen. “Floyd Collins” now holds that distinction. Oy. A very sloppy and rare misstep for Lincoln Center Theater.
Like this review? Follow me at “What Does Aug Think?” at acsntn.substack.com. Thank you!