FOR THOSE WHO THINK “RESCUE ME” AT JUKEBOX
MUSICALS, “I KNOW A PLACE” WHERE A NEW 60s
MUSICAL WILL CHANGE THAT
“When you’re alone, and life is making you lonely, you can always go downtown,” or to be exact you can always go to New World Stages, where the delightful, timely musical A Sign of the Times — produced by The York Theatre Company — opened last night. Petula Clark’s “Downtown,” her first international hit, is only one of the earworm tunes in this jukebox musical. Although it’s about sexism and racism in the turbulent 1960s, this entertainment is bursting with bright colors, crazy patterns, miniskirts, flipped bobs and bouffants, syncopated bass lines, and call-and-response choruses.
Justin Matthew Sargent and Chilina Kennedy
Crystal Lucas-Perry and Chilina Kennedy
It’s 1965 and the world is rapidly changing. But not so much for Cindy (played with nuance and panache by Paradise Square’s Chilina Kennedy), a Buckeye who wants to become a photographer while her BFFs are happily getting married and having children. Against all odds, she leaves Ohio and her loving boyfriend Matt (sexy Justin Matthew Sargent), hops on a bus, and moves to New York City. After meeting all sorts of weirdos, she lands in Upper Manhattan where she begs glamorous struggling singer Tanya to take her in. Crystal Lucas-Perry, terrific in Ain’t No Mo’, brings her spot-on humor, vigorous vocals and joyous attitude to the role. The two become very close but Cindy’s battle hasn’t ended; she’s unemployed and the interviewers are all men with absolutely no respect for women. Yet she takes up with Brian, a smooth Madison Avenue whiz kid and playboy; Ryan Silverman gives us the same lucious, rich baritone and oily character he brought to Count Magnus in A Little Night Music.
Akron Lanier Watson (center) and The Cast
Chilina Kennedy (center left) and The Cast
Being a young African-American, Tanya’s boyfriend Cody has even deeper problems with men, but his issues involve racism. This student, peaceful but loquacious as needed, is involved with the civil rights movement, often getting abused by police and jailed, but he is incredibly resilient — even more so than Cindy — in his quest for justice. With an alluring voice, Akron Lanier Watson plays Cody confident but not cocky, and sweet as a teddy bear.
Ryan Silverman, Alyssa Carol, Justin Showell,
Lena Matthews, Kuppi Alec Jessop and Erica Simone Barnett
Alyssa Carol, Melessie Clark, Chilina Kennedy, Lena Matthews, Erica Simone Barnett
A Sign Of The Times is a lively show, and — given some of the anthemic tunes and JoAnn M. Hunter‘s tight, spot-on, contagious choreography — you may wish to rise up, move with the cast, and sing along (but don’t). The extraordinarily talented ensemble is chockablock with smooth singers who are electric, precise and passionate dancers in addition to being cool actors who interpret a variety of roles. They are Cassie Austin, Jeremiah Ginn, Erica Simone Barnett, Alyssa Carol, Melessie Clark, Kuppi Alec Jessop, Lena Matthews, Maggie McDowell (who gets a special mention for her sauciness), J Savage, Justin Showell, Michael Starr, and Edward Staudenmayer.
Justin Showell, J Savage, Ryan Silverman,
Michael Starr, Edward Staudenmayer and Kuppi Alec Jessop
Ryan Silverman
With a book by Lindsey Hope Pearlman (story by Richard J. Robin) and professionally staged by Gabriel Barre, A Sign Of the Times is neither overly sentimental nor made for nostalgic boomers, even as the songs will bring back memories for some while introducing this treasure trove to younger audiences. The cheerful, straightforward, unconfusing plot — with obvious happy consequences — is what you’d expect from traditional Broadway shows. The design team is also familiar from Broadway: the swiftly changing sets are by Evan Adamson; the fantastic iconic 60s costumes by Johanna Pan; realistic wigs by J. Jared Janas; colorful, creative lighting by Ken Billington; sleek sound by Shannon Slaton; and projections by Brad Peterson, which — in a New York minute — place us in the offices, clubs, penthouses, humble living rooms, and streets of the Mad Men-era.
Crystal Lucas-Perry and Akron Lanier Watson and The Cast
Chilina Kennedy (right) and The Cast
With spanking new arrangements and orchestrations by Music Supervisor Joseph Church, a rocking orchestra backs up songs like “I Only Want to Be With You”, “Rescue Me”, “Gimme Some Lovin'”, “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss)”, and “These Boots Are Made for Walking”; the flawless band members are Kristy Norter, Britt Bonney, Polina Senderova, Francesca Castro, Paige Durr, Michelle Osbourne, and Emma Reinhart. The Music Director is Britt Bonney.
Unfortunately, after 60 years, we are still dealing with racism, sexism, homophobia, and foreign war, which is infuriating; With A Sign of the Times, it’s a great reminder that swell songs and adorable dance steps are the best medicine to chill the illin’, at least for a couple of hours.
Chilina Kennedy and Crystal Lucas-Perry
photos by Jeremy Daniel
A Sign of the Times
The York Theatre Company
in association with Wells Street Productions and Richard J. Robin
New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street
Wed – Mon at 7; Sat & Sun at 2
2 hours and 15 minutes, including a 15 minute intermission
ends on June 2, 2024
for tickets, call 212.239.6200 visit Sign of the Times or Telecharge