By: Darryl Reilly
Gilligan’s Island, The Flintstones, and Yogi Bear, are among the 1960’s T.V. shows represented by clips silently projected onstage on separate television sets accompanied by blaring snippets of totemic songs by The Supremes, The Rolling Stones, and Creedence Clearwater Revival, et. al. This is the jukebox musical Rolling Thunder’s pre-show, signifying we are at an exhibition of nostalgia. It opens with the dynamic company decked out in gorgeous period-wear performing a euphoric rendition of Steppenwolf’s “Magic Carpet Ride.”
Alas, we are not in for a rousing and inventive revue but lamentably instead are presented with a corny and pedestrian book show. Following that grand introduction, three young American small-town men announce their enlistment and one’s induction to fight in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1969. Writer Bryce Hallett’s trite and rudimentary scenario employs plot points and tropes familiar from the many movies on that subject over the last nearly 50 years. The new recruits contend with the heat and rain of the jungle, combat, smoking marijuana and visiting a brothel, as their innocence is lost. There are recitations of letters back and forth from parents and a girlfriend. Symptomatic of the unoriginality is the use of Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings” which Olivier Stone prominently featured in his film Platoon. The rote plot with presentational flourishes lasts a mildly entertaining two hours including an intermission.
The magnetic ensemble consists of Drew Becker, Cassadee Pope, Justin Matthew Sargent, Daniel Yearwood, Courtnee Carter, and Deon’te Goodman. Each of these gifted performers demonstrate commanding singing, dancing, and acting skills during the musical numbers and the dialogue scenes.
While narratively deficient, Rolling Thunder’s chief virtue is its concert aspect. The cast blazes while enacting such classics as “A Hard Rain is Going to Fall,” “Gimme Shelter,” “House of the Rising Sun,” “We Got to Get Out Of This Place,” “All Along the Watchtower,” and of course “War.” Chong Lim and Sonny Paladino’s musical arrangements and orchestrations of all those standards is vigorously faithfull. The rocking onstage band is comprised of conductor Mr. Paladino on keys, Aurelien Budynek and Sherrod Barnes on guitar, Yuko Tadano on bass, and Grant Braddock on drums.
Director Kenneth Ferrone’s energetic physical staging achieves visual scope while vividly showcasing the song performances and ably dealing with the clunky script. Scenic designer Wilson Chin sets the stage creatively with appropriate elements. Jake DeGroot’s lighting design is suitably active and Mike Tracey’s sound design modulates the bombast. Costume designer Andrea Lauer’s flower children getups and military wear are of fabulous authenticity. Caite Hevner’s noteworthy video design is heavy on history with requisite footage of Lyndon Johnson declining to run for president, Walter Cronkite delivering the news, and battle clips. John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and Richard Nixon make appearances. There is also a cool floral animation.
Rolling Thunder was first produced in Australia, this lively New York City premiere could be a revelatory and engaging experience for inquisitive younger audiences or a good time for older attendees willing to take the numerous cliches in stride.
Rolling Thunder (through September 7, 2025)
Blake Entertainment
New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street, in Manhattan
For tickets, visit www.rollingthunderus.com
Running time: two hours including one intermission