Review: Monumental Theatre Company Takes on Admirable Risk with BONNIE AND CLYDE

"Bonnie and Clyde" failed when it premiered on Broadway in December 2011, only lasting 36 performances. Still, it helped further the careers of Jeremy Jordan and Laura Osnes, gaining a cult following with its rich soundtrack infused with blues, country, gospel and rock music.

It is a risky production for any theater company to take on, considering the intimacy and sexiness of the infamous couple; the obscureness of the musical and the failures of the original show.

Monumental Theatre Company's production of "Bonnie and Clyde" which is playing at the Ainslie Arts Center at Episcopal High School from July 14-31 is admirable. It is not an easy production for a New Theatre Company: The DMV based nonprofit theatre company was founded in 2015 with a mission to improve the reputation of millennials developing works "for millennials by millennials."

You could tell that the company and production were modest: It was a small, intimate setting and there were limited props. They didn't use a car prop for their roadside scenes and the audience sat in a humble round circle. Still, the cast, choreography and band were solid and respectable.

Rachel Barlaam and Russell Silber helmed the show as "Bonnie and Clyde" (or Clyde & Bonnie, as Clyde would have preferred) and showed a lot of competency as the characters. The couple were madly in love and the show and characters require a lot of spark, fire and intimacy considering the passion of the original couple. Bonnie wears lingerie, they make out, they hit each other and still pledge undying love for the other. It requires 100 percent chemistry all the time, which was lacking sometimes between Barlaam and Silber. Their chemistry shined the most, however, on the tune "This world will remember us."

Russell Silber showed promising moments as Clyde but could have exuded more intensity and fire on the dramatic "Raise a Little Hell." Barlaam also had an impressive belt and control over her songs but could have delved more into the multi-faceted complexity of Bonnie by diving deeper into the beautiful ballad "Dyin Ain't So Bad." Still, both displayed talent that is worthwhile for audiences to see.

Ben Stoll and Jana Bernard played Buck and Blanche Barrow, the brother and sister-in-law of Clyde. They had a chemistry that was mischievous, funny but still charming and believable. Jana Bernard was a stand-out as a wife who was infatuated and frustrated but refused to give up on a criminal husband.

The ensemble was phenomenal. They shined on the gospel-infused, "God's Arms are Always Open." The choreography was engaging and the chorus's energy was infectious. Jonathan M. Rizzardi showed incredible energy as the Preacher in small town, Bible-belt Texas.

Overall, the show had strong moments and is worth the trip to Alexandria. While the show was not all perfect, Monumental Theatre Company has a promising future in the local theater community.

Photos by: RJ Pavel

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