Musicals in Mufti

Musicals in Mufti* (9/10/23)

The Lieutenant
Book, music, and lyrics by Chuck Strand, Gene Curty, & Nitra McCauliffe

Full disclosure, I was comped for this performance (which usually runs $49–$59 a ticket).

The plot is based on the trial of Lt. William Calley from the My Lai massacre. It was essentially a rock opera (not my favorite type of show, even though I did a production of Jesus Christ Superstar; hey, an actor has to earn a living.) All eleven vocalists, as well as all five instrumentalists were amplified in a very small house. I guess that was to evoke the mid-’70s vibe from the original production. It was far too loud for me, especially in that venue.

All of the performers were great. The plot was a gimme. We knew he was found guilty before the show even began. But was he guilty? Seeds of doubt were sown. Calley even screamed, “Not guilty!” (Shades of Chicago, and both shows were from 1975.)

Am I glad I went? Yes. I have a great love for the York Theatre. I did many shows there, and they produced my one-and-only Broadway production—Sweeney Todd—which opened at Circle in the Square on Sept. 14, 1989.

Mufti (per the program I was given): In street clothes, without the trappings of a full production. That said, all were in all black. Some were off book, the staging and choreography were minimal, though most had their scores (see rock opera) in their hands at times. They had very little rehearsal time, and they did a phenomenal job.

ConcertMeister