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Atlanta, The Musical
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There’s a new world premiere called “Atlanta” at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. The Civil War-era musical was written by Nashville songwriter Marcus Hummon and Adrian Pasdar, an actor on the NBC series “Heroes” and husband of Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines. You can see a preview here.
To my ears, the music in the preview, described as “roots,” has a slick Nashville sound to it. It’s a bit strange to see this kind of music sung by confederate soldiers. But that’s just the beginning of the show’s problems, according to a review in Variety, which says the mix of “gospel ballads, bluegrass foot-stompers, Shakespearean posturing and racial tension goes nowhere fast.”
The reviewer goes on to say that the plot — about a crazy Rebel colonel who forces his slaves to perform Shakespeare during a retreat from battle — “is bewilderingly inert, turning one of the most eventful periods of American history into a series of stilted diaoramas featuring attitudinizing stereotypes.” Parts of it are just goofy, like a distasteful song called “Catch the Dog” about a jolly hunt for various breeds of dogs to eat for dinner.
The whole thing sounds as ridiculous as “Springtime for Hitler,” the fictional show from “The Producers,” as a local actor pointed out on a theater listserv. Hopefully, it won’t be touring anytime soon to the city with the same name.
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By Karen Blackburn
December 7, 2007 2:13 AM | Link to this
I actually enjoyed the show. The singers were fabulous. and some of the songs were beautiful. I think that the show has possibilities, but it does need some major rework. The first act is especially hard to follow. You never really get why all the quoting of Shakespeare, and there just isn’t enough drama to make you want to stay for the second half. Two ladies sitting next to me left at intermission. I stayed just because I am a voice teacher, and I was loving the singers. The second act was better, and the ending was great. The writers really need to bring in some fresh perspective. Someone “like me” who loves musicals, but doesn’t need to impress anyone by trying to kiss up.
Thanks for reading, Karen karenskids2003@aol.com