(Photo credit Gigi Greene)

Written by Patrick Chavis 

Some people aspire to be famous, but when fame is out of reach, some reach for the Infamy card. Few people exemplify this idea more than those Great Depression-era bandits Bonnie and Clyde –well, at least their recreation does in Bonnie & Clyde the Musical, playing now at the Costa Mesa Playhouse.

Lance Smith. Photo by Gigi Greene

The Musical Bonnie & Clyde follows the two main characters, Bonnie Elizabeth Parker and Clyde Chestnut Barrow, as they grow up idolizing different famous historical figures, conveniently shaping the fate of who they will one day become. As a younger girl, Bonnie looks up to Clara Bow, a famous actress who grew in popularity during the silent movie era of the 1920s. Bonnie’s love for Clara is apparent in the Song “Picture Show,” featuring a young Bonnie, played by Maddy Nickless, singing about wanting nothing more than to be just like the film star. In the same song, a young Clyde, played by DJ Price, speaks about his adoration for Billy the Kid. As Clyde gets older, his hero changes to Al Capone, but his love for outlaws remains the same. As the story progresses, Bonnie and Clyde meet. It’s love at first sight, and their criminal hijinks commence.

As with many musicals, the characters’ deeper sides are shoved away to make room for the more flashy, widely disputable parts of the characters’ lives. But who cares about historical accuracy? It’s a musical! We get gunfights, high notes, romance, and now and then, a few glimpses of reality in between the music and dancing. The music is live in this production, and you can feel and hear it. Flubs were nonexistent in this production until the characters stopped singing and started acting. While not everyone was on par acting-wise, there were some stand-out actors. Elizabeth Suzanne, playing Blanche Barrow, is one of them. Elizabeth is phenomenal in this role –singing and acting her character flawlessly throughout the entire production.

Rebecca Butkivich, Holly Griffin, Gigi Greene. Photo by Mike Brown

The story tugs at the heart and moves so fast that even the most impatient theatergoer will not be bored.

8.2/10

Feb 6 – Mar 8, 2015

http://www.costamesaplayhouse.com/