BWW Reviews: World Premiere Musical THE BLACK SUITS Celebrates the Joy and Angst of Being in a Teenage Garage Band

Set in a garage in suburban Long Island, THE BLACK SUITS tells the tale of four boys (lead singer, guitar, bass and drums) who are preparing for stardom by way of the St. Anne's Battle of the Bands. The band and the music give focus and sustenance to the boys whose lives are filled with teenage angst and longing, struggles with friends and girlfriends, and the need to make choices. But for one brief summer they find escape in the camaraderie of the band, the sheer fun of creating and playing music and the core belief in the "transformative coolness of rock 'n' roll.

I can certainly see this show going on to become a staple in high schools and colleges across the country as there are rockers everywhere looking for this kind of show in which they can dance up a storm while rocking the house. After all, we all have our rock heroes and I am sure many of us have our own stories about being in a garage band during high school.

The cast features Jimmy Brewer (John, lead guitar), Harrison Chad (Brandon, drummer), Veronica Dunne (Lisa, the photographer), Coby Getzug (Chris, lead singer), Annie Golden (Mrs. Werring, the neighborhood mentor) and Will Roland (Nato, bass guitar). Each actor realistically mimics and sometimes actually plays their instruments, but the real band rocking behind the scenes is composed of Steven Feifke (keyboards), Austin Moorhead (guitar), Taylor Murphy (drums), Charlie Rosen (conductor and bass), and Aaron Schuman (guitar/keyboards). The actors and band all took bows together at the end of the show. I just wish during the finale the garage scenery could have been moved so we could have watched the real band playing in the spectacular way they did throughout the show.

John Simpkins' direction is fast-paced with scenery pieces moving in and out to create settings from a park bench to Taco Bell to a record store and Mrs. Werring's tacky kitchen. There are several scenes in which each band member simultaneously sings about struggling with their emotions, each blending smoothly creating a real look inside the characters motivations and anxiety in juxtaposition with the others. Rock show lighting effects by Ben Stanton enhance the modular set design by Derek McLane. But on the night I was there, unfortunately there were several moments of loud feedback in the sound system by ACME Sound Partners. Kudos to the actors for not reacting and playing on as if the feedback was just part of the show.

There are several noteworthy songs in the show, each giving insight into the struggles inherent in our teen years. Will Roland (sex-obsessed Nato) and Harrison Chad (Brandon) rocked the house with Act 2's joyous opening number "Amphibian." Annie Golden (Mrs. Werring) is Chris' neighbor, a caring woman stuck in the fantasies and old clothes saved from the rocking days of her youth. In "Band-Aids and Cigarettes" she shares her awareness of her shortcomings, not really having much to offer Chris in his need for a true friend and confidant.

Chris (Coby Getzug), the band's lead singer, struggles with his father's lack of interest in his life. In "Old Records" Getzug puts aside the rocker and opens up his soul melodically and sincerely as he describes all he has left of his father are the old records left in the attic. And during "Social Worker" we see the lost and lonely little boy wanting to reach out but lacking the confidence to do so. Getzug is riveting in this number, moving through his emotions while wearing his heart on his sleeve.

Lisa (Veronica Dunne) sings about wanting to have "Blue Hair" to make a statement about her need for the approval and attention from her boyfriend Chris. When he fails to really pay any attention, John (Jimmy Brewer) makes his move. Their duet "Car Ride to Long Beach" is both cute and touching, and will remind you of the simple joy taking a car ride with a "crush" can be. But John has his own struggles with staying in college, ultimately winding up working a Taco Bell.

The staging of "Black Suit On" allows each of the bans members to shine as they attempt to find the black suits needed for their upcoming gig at a roller rink as well as the Battle of the Bands. Some of their selections are uproariously funny as they look through the clothing racks of suits surrounding them.

Want to experience the joy of putting on a garage band rock show? Then this is the show for you!

The world premiere of THE BLACK SUITS with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis, book by Iconis and RoBert Emmett Maddock, direction by John Simpkins, choreography by Jennifer Werner, music direction and orchestrations by Charlie Rosen, set design by Derek McLane, costume design by Paloma Young, lighting design by Ben Stanton and sound design by ACME Sound Partners, continues through November 24, 2013 at the Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre, located at 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232. Ample free parking and restaurants adjacent.

Regular Performances: (Beginning November 5)
Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.;
Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. No performance on Mondays.

Tickets range from $20 - $55 (ticket prices are subject to change).

Tickets are available by calling CTG Audience Services at (213) 628-2772, in person at the Center Theatre Group box office (at the Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center in downtown Los Angeles), online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, or at the Kirk Douglas Theatre box office two hours prior to performances. Hot Tix: $20 each, may be purchased in advance or, subject to availability, on the day of performance at the box office only (no checks). Groups: (213) 972-7231. Deaf community: information & charge, TDD (213) 680-4017.

Photos by Craig Schwartz.

Clockwise from left: Will Roland, Harrison Chad, Jimmy Brewer and Coby Getzug.

L-R: Will Roland, Coby Getzug, Harrison Chad (drums) and Jimmy Brewer.

L-R: Will Roland, Jimmy Brewer, Coby Getzug and Harrison Chad sing "Black Suit On."

L-R: Will Roland and Harrison Chad sing "Amphibian."

Veronica Dunne and Jimmy Brewer

L-R: Coby Getzug and Jimmy Brewer

L-R: Will Roland, Coby Getzug, Harrison Chad and Jimmy Brewer

L-R: Annie Golden and Veronica Dunne sing "Spirit Song"

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