Northampton Community Colleges Theatre Departments "Assassins" is quite clever, and at times funny, at times compelling and at times disturbing. The controversial musical in the Lipkin Theatre at the colleges Bethlehem Township campus runs through Oct. 23,
Stephen Sondheims fascinating one act show tells the story of nine people who assassinated or attempted to assassinate the President of the United States. Some are obscure, while some are household names.
Through the songs, their motivation for their dark deeds is examined and some of the blame laid at feet of inequities in our country and its culture of celebrity. Its heavy stuff and more than a little unsettling.
The would-be assassins gather in a bar room where a mysterious proprietor (Justin Ferguson) methodically sells them the guns they will use to carry out their plans.
Stringing all these historical characters from from different times and places, is the balladeer, played expressively by Crede Cooper. Cooper is a talented singer and a bracing stage presence.
Cooper leads the assassins in a vaudeville-style tune, "Everybodys Got The Right," which sets up the disconnect between the jaunty music and the sober message.
Last to arrive is John Wilkes Booth, played with dour purposefulness by Max Wetherhold, and he is lauded as the pioneer of the group. As the scene ends, Booth climbs up the steps and a shot rings out as he kills Abraham Lincoln.
Coopers balladeer then introduces the lyrical "The Ballad of Booth" as an injured Booth tries to justify why he killed Lincoln. The scene ends effectively with the burning of the barn in which Booth is hiding and Booths suicide.
Michael Sheridan is an outraged and self-rightous Leon Czolgosz who establishes his motives as he angrily explains the suffering of the workers and the blood, sweat and tears that go into the simple manufacturing of a bottle.
As Giuseppe Zangara who suffered from chronic abdominal pain, Connor Sternberg is somber and desperate. He attempts to assassinate then president-elect Franklin Roosevelt but misses.
In another jarring juxtaposition, onlookers sing the cheery "How I Saved Roosevelt" while Zangara is led to an electric chair.
Samantha Prentice as Lynette Squeaky Fromme and Katelyn Morgan, as Sara Jane Moore have great chemistry as they joins forces to try to kill Gerald Ford.
Prentices Fromme is unapologetic and strident as she spouts the preaching of mass murderer Charles Manson; while Morgans Moore humorously fumbles with her over-sized purse, a can of Tab and a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Their attempted assassination is a comedy of errors punctuated by the antics of Moores obnoxious nine-year-old son (a hilarious Buster Page), a dead dog and dropped bullets.
The power of a gun is chillingly sung by Sheridans Czolgosz, Wetherholds Booth, Josh Crowleys Charles Guiteau and Morgans Moore in the four-part barbershop harmonies of "The Gun Song."
Daniel Sottiles Samuel Byck seems the most deranged of the group. In a shocking monologue Sottile, dressed in a shabby Santa suit, records a message to Leonard Bernstein telling Bernstein to write more love songs, and explaining that he is going crash a plane into the White House and kill Richard Nixon, before accusing Bernstein of not listening to him.
Crowley Guiteau is aggressively optimistic, but when he isnt made Ambassador to France he shoots James Garfield. Guiteau is arrested and sent to be hung, Crowlys Guiteau sings the spiritual-like "I am Going to the Lordy" while Coopers balladeer sings "The Ballad of Guiteau" as they jauntily dance on the steps to the gallows.
Josh Raub is a sullen John Hinckley who is desperate to do something to get Jody Fosters attention.
Ultimately all the other assassins, led by Booth, methodically convince Cade Kochers glum Lee Harvey Oswald to kill John F. Kennedy which is followed by the stark "Something Just Broke" in which the ensemble sings where they were when they heard the president was shot.
Director William Mutimer keeps the pacing brisk.
Brett Oliveiras multi-level set, is patriotic, with the floor panted with stars beneath the Presidential seal. Oliveira also did the lighting which effectively signaled the many deaths. Audiences should be aware there are many gunshots in the production.Tickets are $5. Students a valid NCC ID can attend at no charge with a donation of a non-perishable food item for NCC's HOPE Food Pantry for students.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21-22; and 2 p.m. Oct. 23.
For tickets call 484-484-3412, go to ncctix.org.