In some ways, Marc Blitzstein’s The Cradle Will Rock is reminiscent of Brecht and Weill’s The Threepenny Opera, though it’s more particular to the context of American politics in 1937, including economics and destitution, exploitation of the working class and fight to establish unions. While Threepenny is more global, exploring numerous issues that arise from the food chain, Cradle stays focused on how the wealthy extort cooperation from the poor, and stealthy power brokers like Mister Mister maintain the status quo. Threepenny is a dark show leavened by satirical tone, and Cradle is a satire with moments of dark socioeconomic clarity. For all my lofty exposition it’s raw, visceral, funny and intense.
Blitzstein described Cradle as “…a play in music” and it consists of a 17 member cast and a piano. Characters include a giddy benefactor to the arts, a young lady who earns extra by turning tricks, a pharmacist wrestling personal demons, a violinist, a doctor, a professor and a newspaper editor. And Larry Foreman, a labor organizer. Set in a night court, Cradle gives each character the opportunity to tell their story. Blitztein’s script and score are fresh and clever, suffused with irony and intuitive humor.
It bounces along, blending pragmatic rhetoric with deadpan gags. There’s corruption, xenophobia, blackmail and chicanery. Blitzstein demonstrates the entanglements that come from desperate indigence and the obsessive need of the privileged to keep blue collars from advancing. It’s often tongue-in-cheek, but its urgency, its barely contained anger pulls you in. Sets your pulse racing.
What words can I find to do this charismatic show justice? Defiant and funny. Raucous and witty. Subversive and sharp. Director Diana Sheehan has orchestrated this challenging show with mastery and finesse. Brick Road has assembled an exhilarating show and a spirited cast to bring you a political musical every bit as relevant as it was when our government shut it down, in the late 1930’s. Do not miss the opportunity to experience this glorious, theatrical refusal to cave to the will of fascist oppression.
Featuring: Mark Oristano as Mr. Mister, Jennifer Kuenzer as Mrs. Mister, Rachel Reininger as Sister Mister/Moll, Chapman Blake as Junior Mister/Gus/Dick, Francis Fuselier as Harry Druggist, Joey Folsom as Larry Foreman/Gent, Cherish Robinson as Ella Hammer, Doug Fowler as Reverend Salvation, Elisa Danielle James as Editor Daily/Sadie, Stan Graner as Yasha, Phillip Clark as Dauber,
Jerry Crow as Dr. Specialist, Robert San Juan as President Prexy, Cobin Born as Professor Mamie/Steve, Kwame Lilly as Professor Trixie, Francis Henry as Bugs/Cop/Scoot/Reporter
Brick Road Theatre presents The Cradle Will Rock, playing March 9th-18th, 2018. Cox Building Playhouse, 1517 H Ave, Plano, Texas 75074. brickroadtheatre.org/tickets. 972-467-7519.