NOTE: Photos used in this article for Gun & Powder are provided by Paper Mill Playhouse. Photo Credit goes to Evan Zimmerman and Jeremy Daniel except for one in this article as noted under the photo.
Gun & Powder officially opened this week at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Opening Night was a joyous evening where the audience was dazzled by the new musical. Tremendous applause and standing ovations echoed throughout the night. There was a feeling of celebration in the air as Gun & Powder appears right on track to become a theater classic. It defines the struggles, triumphs, and the importance of family to black women. It shows them in humble beginnings as they set forth with strength and strive to make their way in a difficult world and establish a better life for themselves.
The book and lyrics for Gun & Powder are by Angelica Chéri. Music is by Ross Baum. Stevie Walker-Webb is the Director.
The story is well developed with twists and turns which are poignant and at times heartbreaking. Good balance is present because at times, there are comical touches.
This production at the Paper Mill Playhouse brings together an outstanding cast who will leave you breathless at times. The story is told through an original, dynamic musical score with songs eloquently sung. There are also a number of well thought out staging techniques which add to the delivery of a show which is one that can be enjoyed by many.
How Gun & Powder Came to Be
The background story of how this musical came to be is interesting. If you go to the @GunandPowderMusical site on Instagram, there is a video of Book and Lyrics writer Angelica Chéri talking about the show. She was a graduate student at NYU along with Music Composer Ross Baum. They were paired as thesis partners. In its early format, this show became their thesis musical for the Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program at NYU.
The two talked about historic figures and Chéri mentioned that her family has a photo album filled with pictures of relatives, all of whom are African American. However, in the midst of this album were pictures of two white women. When she inquired as to who they were, the answer was that they were her great-great aunts Mary and Martha Clarke. They were also African American women who passed for white. She heard a variety of stories about what they supposedly had done. Stories described as outlaws – robbing trains and banks and more. But no one knew for certain.
Chéri felt she had a story that would work well as musical. Baum agreed and they set off to work on their thesis musical.
Later, Gun & Powder made its world premiere at Virginia’s Signature Theatre in 2020. They were able to get the full run in before the CoVid shutdown. Therefore, this presentation at the Paper Mill Playhouse has been eagerly anticipated.
The Story Begins in Texas
The show opens with an percussion solo and Prologue by the group referred to in the show as Kinfolk. Their role is important because they help to fill in pieces of the narrative which they sing to the audience. It is a good technique because it keeps the show moving along smoothly.
We meet Mary and Martha Clarke along with their mother Tallulah Clarke in 1893 as they are expressing concern about the news they received. Tallulah is a former slave who was freed by the Emancipation. She now is a sharecropper and life is difficult. Her two daughters were fathered by a white man who left her with the children.
The Clarkes farm a piece of land on a plantation where they must produce a certain amount of cotton. If they fail to meet the weight requirement, they must pay cash to make up the difference. In this case, they owe $400 which they do not have.
To solve their problem, Mary and Martha decide they must leave their home and go out to find a way to earn the money. In those years, it would be difficult for any woman to make it on her own, most especially a black woman. But they are light skinned so as they prepare to leave, they feel they can pass for white which they know will help them. The use of powder helps them to keep a lighter look on their faces.
Before they leave for the train station, Tallulah gives them two things: a gun and a locket with a picture of herself in it.
The Train Ride
As Mary and Martha arrive at the train station, two men try to take advantage of them. Martha takes out the gun. Without firing a shot, the men leave and drop money. The Clarke girls are amazed at the power they realize they have in their hands. Money in hand, they board the train with a new sense of confidence.
The song “The Train” is cleverly shown on stage as the Clarke sisters make their way through the crowds. The choreography of this scene is fun to watch and it also gives an indication that the sisters can pass for white.
The Heists Continue On Until . . .
The Clarke sisters make their way through the Old West doing robberies and hold ups and collecting the money they seek. They finally land in a town with an elaborate saloon owned by Jesse Whitewater.
He offers to put them up in a fine hotel he owns in town and promptly falls in love with Mary. She falls in love with him. And, as they prepare to marry, Caucasian Jesse does not realize Mary is not a white woman.
When he sees the locket with Tallulah’s picture in it, Mary tells him it is her Mammy. Martha shows outrage at her sister’s denial of their mother. This is one of the saddest scenes in the show. Although we are rooting for the Clarke sisters to make good, denial of their true selves becomes a central focus in the show. Additionally, it creates a split between the two sisters leading to much greater action.
However, people who work at Jesse’s saloon and hotel realize what is really going on with the two sisters. Their contributions to the show include some of humorous moments. Also aware of the situation is Elijah who works directly for Jesse. Elijah falls in love with Martha. She does love him but does not wish to follow him to New York which is where he is planning to go to.
More to the Story
There is more to the story but I don’t want to ruin it for those who will see this show. There are surprising twists especially the action that closes Act. 1. There is a final song, “All of Me,” which brings it all to a satisfying close.
Gun & Powder’s Cast is Fantastic
Leading this fantastic cast are Liisi LaFontaine as Martha Clarke and Ciara Renée as Mary Clarke. Their acting and singing are absolutely superb. Their connection is so strong that you will believe they really are sisters.
Jeannette Bayandelle plays their mother, Tallulah Clarke. Her voice is captivating and she brings a sense of sadness mixed with cautious hope to the role.
Aaron James McKenzie is a standout as Elijah. His portrayal of the song “Invisible” is an important moment of truth in the story.
Hunter Parrish plays Jesse Whitewater. His solo song, “Outlaw’s Serenade,” is a strong vocal moment in the show.
Additional cast includes:
Rickens Anantua, Jisel Soleil Ayon, Reed Campbell, Carrie Compere, Meghan Olivia Corbett, Joann Gilliam, Francesca Granell, Aaron Arnell Harrington, Mary Claire King, Malik Shabazz Kitchen, Rayshun LaMarr, Zonya Love, Tiffany Mann, Tony Perry, Adam Roberts, Hank Santos, Christine Shepard, Katie Thompson, Aurelia Williams, Jason SweetTooth Williams
Music – Original Score
One of the best parts of Gun & Powder is the music. It is an original score with songs that tell the story. There are also several ballads which are important to the development of the characters. There are 28 songs in the show.
Music is by Ross Baum with arrangements by him and Austin Cook. Orchestrations are by John Clancy with additional ones by Scott Wasserman.
Directing the live orchestra is Austin Cook with Ben Covello serving as Associate Conductor.
Going to See Gun & Powder
Gun & Powder runs at the Paper Mill Playhouse until May 5, 2024. To get more information or to purchase tickets, go to their website. This link will take you directly to the Gun & Powder page.
Take a moment to review the Content and Effects Warnings on the website.
Suggested Age Range for Gun & Powder is 13+.
Run Time for the show is 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission.