Courtesy of The Muny
Beth Malone as Molly and Marc Kudisch as JJ in "The Unsinkable Molly Brown."
If you’re anything like me, the recent heat wave has left you holed up next to your air conditioning unit, seeking refuge from this St. Louis summer. Now that things outside are cooling off a bit, we could all use a little pick-me-up. Brave the heat and take a trip to The Muny this week for a heartwarming performance of The Unsinkable Molly Brown.
The last time this production graced The Muny’s open air stage was over 25 years ago, in 1989. However, this time around is quite different. Playwright and lyricist Dick Scanlan created a revised version of the popular 1960s musical, and The Unsinkable Molly Brown of today gives a more honest, intimate look at the Titanic survivor’s life. Quickly during the show, the audience begins to realize: Margaret “Call Me Molly” Brown is not just any rags-to-riches girl from Hannibal, Missouri. Her story is one of celebrating the simpler things in life: friendship, community, and as Molly often stresses: “sharing the luck.”
In fact, Molly’s claim to fame—her bravery as a Titanic survivor—is only afforded one scene in the show. Expertly directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, the musical focuses more on the woman herself: who she was, how she came to be, and most importantly, who her life affected. The talented Beth Malone gives Molly her charm as she saunters on the site of a mining town in Leadville, Colorado in search of Denver, and is instantly turned away. I had a similar reaction to the spitfire redhead after watching the first scene. The heavy Missouri twang accent, the brazen personality. Molly is simply, well, off-putting.
As the show progresses, however, the people of Leadville (and the audience) warm up to Molly. She stays with Julia (Whitney Bashor), the widow of a miner who dies soon after Molly arrives. At first, she’s a nuisance, but her earnest desire to learn and her big heart eventually win over Julia and miner J.J. Brown (Marc Kudisch).
The love story of Molly and J.J. is what makes the show. Kudisch plays a gruff yet secretly soft J.J. that simultaneously complements and clashes with Molly’s likable boldness. They shine on duets like “I’ll Never Say No/My Own Brass Bed,” which is nothing short of adorable, and “I’d Like To Change Everything About You,” which showcases the honesty (and relatability) of their relationship. Malone’s solo in the second act after the sinking of the Titanic, “Wait for Me,” showcases her true vocal talent, and her character’s devotion to J.J., despite the couple falling on hard times.
Other notable performances include the male chorus. J.J.’s comrades, Erich (David Abeles), Arthur (Paolo Montalban), and Vincenzo (Justin Guarini), provide the show with a hefty dose of comedic relief with strong numbers like “Colorado, My Home,” and “Just Becuz.” Undoubtedly the fan-favorite song of the show is “Belly Up to the Bar, Boys,” a booming chorus number performed in classic Muny style: big, bold choreography; a swirl of creative costuming; and of course, a chorus that you can’t seem to get out of your head.
The standout moments are concentrated in the first act before Molly and J.J. move to Denver after striking gold (quite literally). Perhaps there’s something about the brazen-small town girl seeming out of place the big city that slows the pace of the second half of the show. Characters like the Guarini’s wonderful Italian Vincenzo are missed, as is Molly’s earnestness. By the time the curtain closes, though, all is right in the world of this redhead. It’s a happy ending for the books.
See The Unsinkable Molly Brown at The Muny (#1 Theatre in Forest Park) from July 21-27. For tickets and more information, go to muny.org.
