Arts
Still on target by Brian Jewell
Arts editorWednesday Jul 9, 2008 Company One’s gotta - sing?
You don’t usually associate the theater troupe Company One with Broadway musicals. The young group has become a vital cultural force in Boston thanks to its emphasis on producing emerging playwrights, with work that explores issues of class and race in America. Their recent shows include a fantasia on racism in The Gibson Girl, an adaptation of Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, and the tabloid media satire After Ashley. Not a Cats or Mamma Mia! in the bunch.
So the news that Company One will tackle a Sondheim musical has had some theater folk scratching their heads. Company One’s Artistic Director, Shawn Lacount, couldn’t be happier. "I like that reaction," he muses. "It shows we’ve been doing something right. We’ve made a name for ourselves."
Mind you, Company One hasn’t picked just any Tony-winning musical. Assassins, which opens this weekend at the Boston Center for the Arts, is a dark exploration of the American psyche that features a cast of singing presidential assassins (or would-be assassins) including John Hinckley, Lee Harvey Oswald, and John Wilkes Booth.
"If we thought we needed a summer blockbuster, we wouldn’t have picked this one," laughs Lacount. "We’ve been talking about doing this show for a while. We knew if we were going to dive into the realm of established musicals, this would be the one."
After producing cabaret-style shows, and plays with music, a full out musical is a logical progression for the group. Lacount has been relishing the challenge of directing what in many ways is the group’s most ambitious project to date.
"I’ve been enjoying this a lot more than I thought I would," Lacount marvels. He goes on to admit that he’s not a fan of musicals in general. "I think the whole reason to do theatre is the live element and the sense of danger," he explains. "Generally speaking, danger is not a word associated with musicals."
That’s certainly not the case with Assassins, especially during a presidential election. Lacount reveals that some of his theater colleagues have whispered that the production, or at least its timing, is in poor taste. Lacount says that’s all the more reason to do it.
"Obama has the most expensive security force of any nominee ever, and has it earlier than any nominee," Lacount continues. "Some people don’t want to be reminded of these things. The feeling is, why bring up the negative when hope is around the corner? But there’s serious political work in discussing this. We created these assassins. They came from our country. Why?"
The production’s design will emphasis its timeliness by downplaying the vaudeville feel and Americana elements usually associated with the show. "Our concept is, dirty dealings under a bridge. Not literally," Lacount adds with a chuckle, "but that’s the feeling. There’s not a lot of razzle dazzle, but there’s a lot of suspense and ideas and mystery. The world goes by above and there’s something dangerous brewing underground. It’s perfect for the Plaza Theatre."
The Plaza Theatre will also host a late night run of the goofy John Kuntz-Rick Park vehicle After School Special, an absurd satire of TV movies about troubled teens. The very silly show contrasts nicely with the darker Assassins. This is the second time the show has been paired with a Company One show, and to top themselves, Kuntz and Park have added some special guest stars to the formerly two-man show: Company One alum Greg Mario and Paula Plum will make cameos.
"We’re drawn to the things with darker humor," deadpans Lacount, summing up what promises to be an exciting double shot of theatre.
Assassins plays Wednesday-Sunday, from July 11 - August 9, at The Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont St., Boston. Tickets $15-$38. After School Special plays late nights, Friday and Saturday through August 8. Tickets $17. Info: 617.933.8600 or www.bostontheatrescene.com.
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