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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">BLOODY BLOODY
ANDREW JACKSON rocks at Beck</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">Roy Berko</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Palatino;color:black">(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">Several weeks
ago a study listed George W. Bush among the worst presidents of the United
States.<span style> </span>Also on that list was
Andrew Jackson.<span style> </span>However, in contrast
to Bush, Jackson was also on the roll of the best presidents.<span style> </span>That dichotomy is well noted in BLOODY
BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, now rocking the Studio Theatre at The Beck Center for
the Arts.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">Jackson,
known as the common man’s President, unified the country.<span style> </span>He did so through a bloody reign of
terror in which he slaughtered and dealt devilishly with his hated
enemies:<span style> </span>the Indians (who killed
his parents), the British, the Spanish and the Washington politicians.<span style> </span>He was a drunk, bigamist, and
undisciplined man.<span style> </span>He has
sometimes been noted as the American Hitler due to his maniacal obsessions.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">After being
denied the presidency by the Supreme Court after winning the popular vote, in
an incident similar to the Bush-Gore saga, Jackson became possessed.<span style> </span>Four years later Jackson founded the
Democratic party and could not be denied.<span style> </span>He took over the White House, opened its doors to the
multitudes, turned the lawns into grazing areas for livestock, and generally
ruled in organized chaos.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">BLOODY BLOODY
ANDREW JACKSON, as written by Alex Timbers, with words and music by Michael
Friedman, is an audacious, irreverent rock musical which was a hit
off-Broadway, and paints the picture with modern references, including the
presence of electronics (cell phones, Ipads, head sets), lots of hard rock
music, imaginative if not always accurate historical references, and lots of
swearing, blood and guts.<span style> </span>Though
there are some weaknesses in the script, the production more than compensates
for that.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">Director
Scott Spence puts aside all inhibitions and gives free range to filling the
stage with visual and audible pyrotechnics.<span style> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">Choreographer
Martin Céspedes uses the foot stomping dance moves of the prairie as the basis
for his creative choreography.<span style>
</span>Like Jackson himself, the dancing is not coordinated, but a creative use
of impromptu movements. Céspedes incorporates a sequence of dynamic fight
moves, has the musicians high stepping, and creates a dervish of visual treats.
<span style> </span>The song <i style>The Corrupt Bargain</i> leaps off the stage.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">Larry
Goodpaster and Dennis Yurich’s musical direction is the foundation on which the
production is built.<span style> </span>The band,
Yurich, Ingrid Lang and Jason Giaco, supported by various cast members, is
musically dynamic.<span style> </span>They would have
made a great rock concert in and of themselves.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">Trad Burns’
set design, an amalgamation of old suitcases, picture frames, newspapers, guns,
and levels, creates the perfect working space for the actions.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">The cast is
multi-talented.<span style> </span>At one point all
of the assemblage plays guitars, sings and dances, with proficiency and
abandonment.<span style> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">Dan Folino,
in the title role, is nothing short of perfection.<span style> </span>He sings with full voice, his rock style is well honed, he
creates a clear character, and transitions well between segments.<span style> </span>It’s worth seeing the show just to
experience the Folino magic in action.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">Hester
Lewellen is a hoot as the old lady storyteller, zipping around the stage in a
battery operated wheel chair.<span style> </span>Trey
Gilpin is delightful as a fey Martin VanBuren.<span style> </span>Chris McCarrell, playing one mean guitar, displays a great
vocal in <i style>Second Nature</i>.<span style> </span>Gilgamesh Tagget has some great moments
as the Indian chief, Black Fox.<span style>
</span>Elliot Lockshine is endearing as Lycoya, Jackson’s adopted Indian
son.<span style> </span>The chorus is vocally and
performance strong. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-autospace:none"><i style><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:<span style> </span>Though not for everyone due to the
pounding music and uncensored language, BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, is one
exciting and well conceived show.<span style>
</span>In my mind, it’s a sure MUST SEE!</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">BLOODY BLOODY
ANDREW JACKSON is scheduled to run through JULY 1 at Beck Center for the
Arts.<span style> </span>For tickets and information
on the possibility of the run being extended, call 216-521-2540.<span style> <br></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"><span style></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
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