Snoop's Theatre Thoughts

Assassins
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by John Weidman
Directed by Bradley Rohlf
FlyNorth Theatricals
July 1, 2022

Eli Borwick, Sarah Lantzberger, Eileen Engel, Jaymeson Hintz
Photo by John Gramlich
Fly North Theatricals

It’s Assassins, but (mostly) immersive! That’s essentially the idea of Fly North Theatricals’ latest production of the Stephen Sondheim/John Weidman musical study of various individuals who have sought out to assassinate Presidents of the United States, with varying degrees of “success”. I put that word in quotes because of the inherently problematic and disturbing nature of the goal, which is pointed out in chilling fashion in this cleverly staged production, which features a contextualization that adds a degree of immediacy to the show that contributes much to the overall dramatic effect. 

Assassins is a show that blends sharp satire with social commentary and moments of intense drama. It profiles various would-be presidential assassins, some well-known and some more obscure, but they are not glorified here, although there is criticism of the societal and cultural values and situations that influenced them. The tone is satirical for the most part, but this production in particular brings out a degree of immediacy in the sense of how the show is framed. While most productions of this show have the backdrop of a carnival/fair shooting gallery attraction, this production is set up as a panel discussion at a convention called “PresCon 2022”. Each audience member is given a lanyard with a badge, identifying each attendee as “President”. The pre-show activities are a combination of hilarious and disturbing, such as autograph sessions with John Wilkes Booth (Jordan Wolk), a projected schedule of events that includes some clever topical and historical references, and more. Then the show starts and all the “presidents” settle down to watch the “panel”.  For a closer look at the pre-show activities and a lists of the various “schedules of events”, you can check out Fly North’s Facebook page. 

Although the show is advertised as “fully immersive”, it’s most immersive elements are before the actual play begins, and then it plays out as written, only with a different set than usual, and with the Proprietor (Eileen Engel) outfitted in professional attire and serving essentially as the host of the panel. The assassins and aspiring assassins are presented and begin to tell their tales. In addition to Booth, we meet Leon Czolgosz (Eli Borwick), Charles Guiteau (Bradford Rolen), Sarah Jane Moore (Kimmie Kidd-Booker), Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme (Avery Lux), John Hinckley (Jaymeson Hintz), Giuseppe Zangara (Ryan P. Townsend), Sam Byck (Sarah Lantsberger), and Lee Harvey Oswald (Stephen Henley).  The characters and their motives are varied, but the ultimate goal is the same–to kill a president. There’s also social commentary in the form of a figure called The Balladeer (also Henley), who–aided by clever projections–clicks through his cell phone to show us background on the various figures and their situations. The stories are sometimes linked in ways they didn’t in real life–like with Fromme and Moore, who both tried to assassinate President Ford, but not together as shown here, and Fromme and Hinckley, whose disturbingly dissonant duet “Unworthy of Your Love” is one the show’s most memorable tunes. Of course, these characters are all from different times and places, but having them interact adds to the theme, drama, and satire of the piece. This particular production adds another layer to that drama, as well, casting the audience as “presidents”, which makes everyone a potential victim if you think about it. Also, the sharp dramatic turn the show takes toward the end adds even more tension and impact to the story, making it a lot more personal than I had seen before. I won’t spoil it, but I’ll give a clue–the guns used in the show are all obviously fake (mostly toys). There’s a rather jarring moment when that changes, which affects the whole tone of the show in a powerfully effecting way. 

The theming here is excellent and consistent, working well with this production, as the “PresCon” setting is played out especially well in the build up to the show itself, and Lauren Perry’s simple but effective set and clever media design adds to the overall effect. The colorful, character-appropriate costumes by Engel are also excellent, as is Tony Anselmo’s evocative lighting. Music Director Colin Healy leads a top-notch band that accompanies the show with style, as well, although the band’s placing and the acoustics in the .ZACK theatre sometimes work to make the music drown out the singers.

Aside from occasional sound issues, though, this is a strong production all around, led by a superb cast with no weak links. Engel has an oddly effective air of detached menace as the Proprietor, and Wolk’s prideful, vengeful Booth is also a standout, as is Lantsberger (who also briefly plays anarchist Emma Goldman) as the attention-seeking Byck, whose goal was to assassinate President Nixon. Lux and Kidd-Booker are memorable in their scenes together as Fromme and Moore, and Hintz is effective as the single-minded and disturbed Hinckley, as is Borwick as aspiring anarchist Czolgosz, who shot President McKinley. Rolen, as the gleefully self-promoting Guiteau (Garfield’s assassin), is a stand-out, as well, and Henley is in excellent voice as the Balladeer, and also makes a convincing Oswald. The whole cast is excellent here, with strong ensemble chemistry and strong stage presence, energy, and vocals. 

If you’ve seen Assassins before, you essentially know what to expect, but there are some surprises in this version, in terms of direction and focus, with a powerful turn toward the end that makes the story more personal than I’ve seen before. Fly North Theatricals has presented some memorable productions in the past, but I think this is their best yet. It’s a profoundly affecting theatrical experience. 

Jordan Wolk, Eli Borwick, Kimmie Kidd-Booker, Bradford Rolen
Photo by John Gramlich
FlyNorth Theatricals

Fly North Theatricals is presenting Assassins at the .ZACK Theatre until July 23, 2022