Bonnie & Clyde brings infamous folk heroes to Topeka

“Bonnie & Clyde: The Musical is now showing at the Topeka Civic Theatre’s Helen Hocker Theater. Photo courtesy TCT.

Topeka Civic Theatre (TCT) brings a fresh new musical with a “Bang of a Score” to Topeka. Bonnie & Clyde is a musical about the hapless – and violent -  30’s era duo. The movie Bonnie & Clyde focused on the pair’s violent acts; the musical focuses more on their love. The musical opened April 22 and continues through May 7.

At the height of the Great Depression, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow went from two small-town nobodies in West Texas to America's most renowned folk heroes and Texas law enforcement's worst nightmares.

Fearless, shameless, and alluring, the Tony-nominated Bonnie & Clyde from the legendary Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll And Hyde, Civil War, Dracula) is the electrifying story of love, adventure and crime that captured the attention of an entire country.

When Bonnie and Clyde meet, their mutual cravings for excitement and fame immediately set them on a mission to chase their dreams. Their bold and reckless behavior turns the young lovers' thrilling adventure into a downward spiral, putting themselves and their loved ones in trouble with the law.

Forced to stay on the run, the lovers resort to robbery and murder to survive. As the infamous duo's fame grows bigger, their inevitable end draws nearer. Bonnie & Clyde is a thrilling and sexy musical with a non-traditional score, combining blues, gospel and rockabilly music.

Broadway.com wrote about Bonnie & Clyde when the musical came to Broadway. It said, “While it has the shootouts and hold-ups that made Bonnie and Clyde famous outlaws, this version of their tale focuses more on the love story between the two title characters than anything else.

“The pop score by Frank Wildhorn keeps the show from getting too dark, no matter what the subject matter, and allows for plenty of vocal pyrotechnics from its leading players. The show's ensemble numbers are used to explain the circumstances that drove these kids (who were in their early 20s when they died) to their criminal acts.

The Topeka Civic Theatre production features Brett Broadbent as Clyde Barrow, and Amelia Flores as Bonnie Parker. Other roles are filled by TCT regulars Alisha Bolz, Francisco Camargo, Juan Deras, Andrew Huff, Alex Krumins, Mike Lesser, Parker Lesser, Dan Lindquist, Megan Lindquist,  Lea Ramos, Raymond Remp, Jr. and Sheri Rippel. Newcomers to the TCT stage are Lauren North and Chad Rein.

The show opened on April 22, and continues through May 7 at Helen Hocker Theater in Topeka’s Gage Park. Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 p.m., Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $13 and are available by phone at (785) 251-5990. Bonnie & Clyde: The Musical contains adult themes not suitable for all audiences.

The Gayly – May 3, 2016 @ 2 p.m.