“War is hell” goes the old saying. Yet in the new jukebox musical Rolling Thunder, the horrors of Vietnam just skim the surface.
Book writer Bryce Hallet interviewed Vietnam veterans and program notes cite that “the characters are composites of real-life people.” Yet the cast, composed of six incredibly talented performers (and two understudies), give little insight about these real-life individuals .
The major players include Johnny (Drew Becker) and his sweetheart Linda (Cassadee Pope). Linda vows to wait for Johnny, who voluntarily enlists. Johnny’s friend Thomas (Justin Matthew Sargent) also joins the armed forces while Andy (Daniel Yearwood) is drafted and Mike (Deon’te Goodman). Courtnee Carter rounds out the cast in the dual roles of "Nurse Kelly" and Andy’s mother.
Actual news footage from the time is projected by designer Caite Hevner, giving the piece documentary-like realism. Wilson Chin’s scenic design and Andrea Lauer’s costumes are both evocative of the era.
While the book fails to captivate, Sonny Paladino’s arrangements and orchestrations are vibrant and fresh and the cast provides some of the very best ensemble singing you’ll hear on or off Broadway. Classic favorites including, “Black Magic Woman”, “Magic Carpet Ride”, and “Nowhere to Run.”
Rolling Thunder previously played in Australia, arriving to New York as we commemorate the 1975 fall of Saigon and the end to the Vietnam War. Fifty years later, we remain, sadly, far removed from global peace. On the plus side, we’ll enjoy some timeless tunes while the world goes south.
Rolling Thunder is now playing Off Broadway through September 7th at New World Stages 340 W 50th Street between 8th and 9th ave. For tickets and information, click here : telecharge.com, Rolling Thunder Tickets
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