What an inspiration: telling the sordid story of the persecution and prosecuting of nine black young men falsely accused of raping two white prostitutes in Alabama in 1931 as a minstrel show performed by blacks, who play all characters, white and black, including the sheriff, and only one white, John Cullum, in the cast as The Interlocutor. It's a bizarre, but palatable way of telling this horrible story, including a humorous song about the electric chair.
The Scottsboro Boys is a surreal nightmare played out as an absurdist comedy. It's beautifully, innovatively directed with style and flair and brilliantly choreographed by Susan Strohman, with a top-notch, versatile ensemble cast including the vivid Joshua Henry, design by Beowulf Borrit that is simple but profound and fine costumes by Toni-Leslie James.
Although cartoony in presentation, this musical by John Kander, Fred Ebb and David Thompson is a unique, powerful theatrical experience full of songs by two of the best. The final moment will move you and stick with you.
