A Sign of the Times – Rights and Roles to 60’s Songs

May 21, 2024 by Two Sues On the Aisle

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

A feel-good jukebox musical, about a small-town Ohio native who goes to New York City to follow her dreams of becoming a photographer. Cindy (Chilina Kennedy) leaves her comfortable community behind and becomes part of the feminist, civil rights, and anti-Vietnam War movements. This original story, with a happy ending, is built around classic songs of the era including “Downtown,” “I Only Want to Be With You,” “Gimme Some Lovin’,” “Rescue Me,” and “I Know A Place,” and leaves the audience humming. A Sign of the Times closing soon will be at the New Worlds Stages until June 2^nd.

The Plot

It was 1965 things were changing everywhere except in suburban Ohio, which seemed stuck in a time where a woman’s place was at home, because “This is how it’s supposed to go”. Cindy did not fit the conventional homemaker role. She wanted a career. With encouragement from her friends, she packed her camera and headed to NYC, arriving at Port Authority “where the local time is ten years ahead of wherever you just came from!” Using the classified ads, she finds a room to rent on 194th Street, with a skeptical African American roommate, aspiring singer Tanya (Chrystal Lucas-Perry). The two become fast friends, finding love, and launching successful careers, all in just one exciting year.

The Performance

A Sign of the Times features a large, talented cast that danced and sang into our hearts. It was a taste of nostalgia for Baby Boomers. Everything happened in a New York minute, except for the show, which ran for 2 and ½ hours and consisted of ’60s songs, many by Petula Clark. The show paralleled the tone of the 60s, free and unrushed. With a bit more editing and clearer focus, this show could have been stupendous.

We attended the Mother’s Day performance, which provided the perfect audience. They applauded loudly at comments about women’s rights and displays of male chauvinism (which was acceptable behavior in 1965 America).

The dialogue was simple but powerful. Cindy worked over the weekend to prepare a pitch that empowers women and positions them for their dream jobs, but her boss (and boyfriend) Brian (Ryan Silverman) takes credit for her work.  He belittles their relationship, describing her as his latest conquest explaining “The rules are different for you than they are for me. That’s just the way it is. And as long as you work for me, I strongly suggest you play by those rules and do as I say.” So, she quits, and the audience applauds.

Later, she says, “If women ruled the world things would look very different, I can assure you.” Tanya answers “Can you imagine? We would be a lot more understanding with one another and kind. And everyone would have a more fabulous outfit.”  Funny, fanciful, and still just as relevant today.

Changing the World

On the bus to New York, Cindy met Cody Jackson (Edred Utomi), President Emeritus, Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, University of Buffalo Chapter, and both set out to change their lives. Cody is a freedom rider, who believes real change is achievable using non-violent rallies to gain attention. Cody explains ‘We’re fighting for liberation for black people, yes, and by doing so, we’re moving America closer to the truth’. Sadly, his non-violent demonstrations ended in violence, instigated by ‘the other side’. These setbacks do not lessen Cody’s determination to continue using his voice to change the world.

A Sign of the Times includes subplots, that contrast the various 1960s themes.

But what makes A Sign of the Times sparkle is its messaging about coexisting, showing how simple it is for Cindy and Tanya can see past their different backgrounds. Race, gender, or sexual preference do not define a person.

The show asks ‘Just think what could be possible for us 20, 30, 50 years from now – ‘We now know the answer, in some areas, we may be a little closer, but remain worlds apart in others. A Sign of the Times shows us that there has been progress. But some things are constant. Youth in the 1960s feared ‘We Are on the Eve of Destruction’ (a song by Barry McGuire) it seemed that the world was going to self-destruct. And yet, somehow things worked out.

Pure Entertainment

Everything ends happily, Cindy is recognized as a talented photographer, Tanya’s singing career takes off, and Cody & Tanya become a couple. We left the theater with hope for the future.  See A Sign of the Times at the New World Stages for a quick pick-me-up, with catchy 60s tunes.

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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.

A Sign of the Times received 3 Challahs