Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2007 > August > 03 > Entry
Shaken by ‘Assassins’
Arts: Taking a break from recollections of France, let me share an intense theatrical experience: Summer Stock Austin’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Assassins.” At St. Edward’s University, a tender cast overcame a shaky start to dig deep into this serious treatment of American obsessions with fame, entitlement, alienation and, yes, even the viability of freedom, as related to presidential assassinations.
David Gallagher and Daniel Adams triumph as John Wilkes Booth and the show’s balladeer. What will St. Ed’s do without these talents, who have lifted local shows since their freshman debuts in “Honk”? Unless they self-destruct, as artists often do, both will enjoy long careers in the performing arts. Among other minor miracles observed: Christopher Smith, Clay Cartland, Brian Egelhoff, Laurie Urban, Ben Ferguson and, especially, newcomer Shannon Locke, accurately creepy as Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme.
And I have to tell you: The Kennedy stuff shook me up. That assassination was my generation’s 9/11, and its invocation through an imaginary conversation between Gallagher’s Booth and Ferguson’s Lee Harvey Oswald chilled. Repeat praise for stage and music director Michael McKelvey and his gang of blossoming talents.
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Comments
By Mary M.
August 4, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this
An awesome show. Loved the cast especially David Gallagher who was chilling, Clay Cartland and Laurie Urban who were hilariously funny and that Daniel Adams - his voice is smooth, like butta!
By Ann C.
August 4, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
I have to admit I was delightfully suprised by the production of ASSASSINS at St. Ed's. David Gallager as " John Willkes Booth" particularly stood out for me. But all the young performers were excellent actors and as well as singers --- and that is what is needed for Sondheim. Much congrats to everyone who touched this show, esp Michael McKelvey who BOTH directed and music directed but also Kyle Sigrest on the keyboard. It is a big task and they all did an excellent job of difficult material. I throughly enoyed the production... and well, as a self proclaimed Sondheim fan, I can get a little picky....
I hope you are all celebrating for a long time to come!
By Christi Moore
August 3, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this
Michael, I agree. I thought they did a great job with the show. One small correction, David Gallagher's Austin debut was in "Metamorphoses".