“Swing State” Book and Lyrics by Dana Yeaton Music by Andy Mitton Reviewed by David Roberts, Chief Critic Theatre Reviews Limited
This critic’s ability to access anything redemptive in “Swing State” was sabotaged by the characterizations of the show’s characters Neil and Bonnie, played exquisitely by Jed Resnick and Morgan Weed.
Theatre Reviews Limited offers is readers and subscribers the unique opportunity to confront theatre from its Gay POV (point of view) reports on current theatre offerings. This is an important way to deconstruct a script or book of a musical as well as the performance itself.
Although “Swing State” attempts to reach a common ground where Neil and Bonnie understand one another and accept their differences, neither character is likeable enough to care whether they bond or not. Neil is a self-loathing gay man who is willing to face a crowd of homophobic evangelical Christians to build his Chiropractic practice. Bonnie is a kindergarten teacher who would risk employment to proselytize innocent five-year-olds!
One understands Bonnie is guilt-ridden after having an abortion and that Neil has come home to Ohio to “heal the enemy.” One does not understand the need to watch Bonnie torture Neil as well as herself only to sit on a swing set (a huge swing set) in the swing state of Ohio and proffer each other words of redemptive wisdom at the musical’s end.
Had Neil jumped off the swing and run, the musical might have made sense. Or perhaps I should have run out of the theatre when a few of the show’s groupies laughed when Bonnie conspired to torture children’s minds.
If readers care to see this musical, it is part of the NYMF and information can be had at nymf.org
Permalink | Posted by David Roberts on Friday, July 27, 2012
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