A New Musical Gun & Powder Hits the Mark

Apr 17, 2024 by Two Sues On the Aisle

By Sue Weston and Susan Rosenbluth, Two Sues on the Aisle

Gun & Powder is a moving musical exploring the consequences of embracing or denying your heritage. A powerful story about resilience, relationships, and remembering your roots. It is a wake-up call to anyone who chooses to ‘pass’ to get ahead, taking a hard look at ‘privilege’ and identity. This original musical production, written by Angelica Chéri with music by Ross Baum, will be at the Paper Mill Playhouse through May 5th.

Gun & Powder is a memorable theatrical experience, a fun twist on a Western, that will leave you humming and wondering, what would you have done.

Gun & Powder was inspired by the family legend of playwright Chéri’s great-aunts, two light-skinned black women, who, according to family lore, transformed themselves from sharecroppers into notorious outlaws. Twin sisters, Mary (Ciara Renée) and Martha (Liisi LaFontaine) Clarke understand that in 1893 Texas, color matters, but outside their community they can pass as white. Together, they embark on a remarkable and gutsy plan to save their family home, armed only with their mother’s gun ‘Ole Betsy’, their charm (plenty of powder), and tenacity.

While sisters were real, their exploits are fictionalized, but the issues they dealt with are as relevant today as they were a century ago.

Stars that Sparkle Brightly

We were absolutely captivated by Ciara Renée and Liisi LaFontaine’s flawless performances, with their delightful voices and great stage presence. They were spectacular, supported by a wonderful, accomplished cast, each a star in their own right. Callouts go to amazing performances by Tallulah Clarke (Jeanette Bayardelle), Elijah (Aaron James McKenzie), and Jesse Whitewater (Hunter Parrish), each with a long list of credits. They were supported by a spectacular chorus of Kinfolk and Townspeople, with voices that knocked the music out of the park.

The play was well written, poignant yet light, with choreography and acting that surfaced messages far beyond the script. One notable example is Flo and Sissy, maids whose mannerisms provide comedic relief, with a roll of their eyes, and an ‘mmm…. their attitude speaks volumes. The pair recognized the Clarke sisters were black women trying to pass as white, something invisible to the white population. While they weren’t going to “gossip” or “start no trouble,” they noticed the racial characteristics citing “Those lips?.. That hair?.. Those hips!” There was no way for the Clarkes to disguise their past, while they were biracial, they were still identifiably black.

As Jews we felt a strong connection, recognizing people choosing assimilation as a way to distance themselves from their heritage. Repeatedly we see that the groups who discriminate against Jews don’t care, they target anyone with Jewish ancestry and identify our ethnic characteristics.

Another relatable theme was defining freedom, and understanding that being of a specific race does not equate to privilege or superiority. The Clarke sisters sought to right the racial imbalance by taking money earned from slave labor. And they did it without resorting to violence. Despite their circumstances, they remain prim, and proper, able to love and dream.

The Performance

This ensemble of amazing performers clicked, accentuating Baum’s scores which were infused with African American spirituals, jazz, and soul along with more traditional Broadway tunes. The acapella singing provided an ideal showcase for these outstanding performers. One piece ‘Cotton’ reminiscent of spirituals combined with the movements wordlessly conjured imagery of hardships associated with picking cotton. ‘Just Passing Through’ was a clever classic Broadway-style play on words, as the Clarke sisters learned what they needed to do to pass as white from watching, and immatating passengers on the train.

We found ourselves drawn into the story, its unexpected twists, and connections. Happy when the Clarke sisters each discover love in the most unexpected places, relieved by their unwavering commitment to family. Even as the curtain closed, we still believed Martha would reconnect with her soulmate Elijah. Sure, we would have liked Jesse to have seen Mary for who she was, focusing on their similarities. But this is musical theater, not a fairytale.

Wonderfully Entertaining

Gun & Powder is a testament to the power of charm instead of violence and the importance of supporting family and community. The Clarke sisters’ story was believable, carrying Ole Betsy a family relic, gave them courage, they waved it and people handed over their money.

For a brief moment, it appeared that the girls had lost track of their initial mission, saving the family homestead and helping their Mama. Yet, Chéri gives the show a happily ever after finish as the three Clarke women unite at the train station with enough money, ready for a fresh start.

The team of Angelica Chéri and Ross Baum are electric, we are hopeful their Gun & Powder musical will land on Broadway in the not-too-distant future.

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Two Sues on the Aisle bases its ratings on how many challahs (1-5) it pays to buy (rather than make) to see the play, show, film, book, or exhibit being reviewed. 

Gun & Powder  received five Challahs

Running time: Approximately 2 ½ hours including one 15-minute intermission.