[NEohioPAL] Preview of "Assassins" at Lakeland Theater

[Bob Abelman]

Secret Service agent profiles 'Assassins' at Lakeland

 

Bob Abelman

News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times Courier

Member, International Association of Theatre Critics 

 

This preview appeared in the News-Herald on 2/4/11

 

"And all you have to do
Is move your little finger,
Move your little finger and
You can change the world."

 

Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim isn't the kind of guy to shy away from difficult or disturbing themes in his musicals.

 

His Sunday in the Park with George, for example, explores how every dot of pigment in an impressionist painting is a purposeful, labored, complex act of creativity.  His Sweeney Todd traces the escalating damage done by one thoughtless, senseless act of brutality.  

 

Perhaps nothing is more difficult and disturbing than the theme he chose for the Tony award-winning play that opens tonight at Lakeland Theater, as reflected in the above lyric:  Assassins.

 

While PlayhouseSquare plays it safe with a classic revival (South Pacific), the Hanna Theater showcases an easy-listening Christian boy band (Altar Boyz), the Cleveland Playhouse is high-stepping (Backward in High Heels) and the Beck Center goes low-brow (Jerry Springer: The Opera), leave it to Lakeland Community College theater director Martin Friedman to take the road less traveled.

 

"It's pretty off-putting stuff" admits Friedman, referring to the one-act musical about the nine people who either killed or tried to kill an American President. "I always wanted to do this play.  It is a brilliantly written, disquieting piece of theater."

 

By giving a voice to the sick and desperate men and women who's greatest fear was being reduced to insignificance and who choose murder as the means to immortality, it is also a very controversial and provocative piece of theater.

 

This is what drew the attention of the Secret Service.  Well, one Secret Service agent.  Retired.  

 

Gregory Truhan worked for 22 years as a member of the United States Secret Service.  He is currently on the faculty of the Criminal Justice program at LCC, and has taken a keen interest in its production of Assassins.  

 

Truhan spent much of his career in protective intelligence and threat assessment, which entailed the scientific analysis of the motives, selection of targets, planning, communications of threat and intent, symptoms of mental illness, and significant life experiences of would-be and successful assassins. As many as 83 persons attacked or approached to attack a prominent public official in the United States over the past 60 years.  

 

"The play is about the psyches of assassins," notes Truhan, who is serving as historical consultant for the production and will be leading post-show discussions. "And although partly fictional, both the play's dialogue and song lyrics are based on documented facts.  In some instances direct quotes are utilized."    

 

This troubling show had a troubled history.  The original off-Broadway production opened in December 1990 on the cusp of the first Gulf War.  Later, the long-awaited Broadway production was originally set to open in the fall of 2001, but was cancelled in the wake of 9-11.  

 

The timing for this Lakeland production is also unfortunate, coming on the heels of the assassination attempt on U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, Arizona.

 

"It is weird, but of course unintentional" says Friedman, "and speaks to the timeliness of the subject matter.   This play doesn't sentimentalize assassination or make heroes out of assassins. It is thought provoking, very entertaining and extremely moving, which is what theater should be."

 

Truhan agrees.  "I'm a huge fan," says the aficionado-turned-admirer. "I went out and bought both the original cast recording and the Broadway recording CDs."

 

The cast of assassins includes: Brian Altman as Leon Frank Czolgosz; Kevin Becker as John Hinckley, Jr.: Kevin Joseph Kelly as Charles Guiteau; Trey Gilpin as Giuseppe Zangara; Brint Learned as Samuel Byck; Neely Gevaart  as "Squeaky" Fromme;  Amiee Collier as Sara Jane Moore; Scott Esposito as John Wilkes Booth; Bernadette Hisey as Emma Goldman; and Curt Arnold as Lee Harvey Oswald.   Aaron Elersich plays the Balladeer and Jim Jarrell is the Proprietor. 

 

Details

 

What:     Assassins.

When:    Today through February 20 (Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m., Sundays

               and Saturday, February 19 matinees, 2 p.m.).

Where:   Lakeland Theatre, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland. 

Tickets:  $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $7 for students.  

Info:        440-525-7526 or martinfriedman98 at yahoo.com

 
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