A Taste of Nostalgia – Empire Records: The Musical

Sep 23, 2024 by Two Sues On the Aisle

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

Empire Records: The Musical sings and dances its way into our hearts, telling the story of growing up and adapting. Empire Records is a record store, a throwback, that could have been located in any small-town USA in the 1990s. It was a haven where kids who didn’t fit in could find friendship, acceptance, and employment. The show is a patchwork of stories that all come together in one long day. Empire Records: The Musical is an adaptation of a 1995 movie, both of which were written by Carol Heikkinen, with music and lyrics by Zoe Sarnak. Empire Records: The Musical will be playing at the McCarter Theater in Princeton until October 6.

About The Story

There is a whirlwind of activity in the 1-hour 37-minute production (this is a significant number to remember) that begins when the employees arrive. It’s April 8, 1995, Rex Manning Day at the Empire Records store, a signing event for a has-been pop star. They arrive to find the front door locked and worry about the owner Joe.

Joe (Michael Luwoye) was secretly struggling to keep his store open and was considering an offer to sell to a chain music store. Joe had worked in Empire Records before purchasing it and has created a culture of acceptance and forgiveness. When Lucas (Tyler McCall), an elusive-disconnected lanky boy uses the night deposits to gamble at Atlantic City, Joe gives him a time out on the sofa instead of calling the police. A similar punishment was dolled-out to would-be shoplifter ‘Warren’ (Sam Poon).

Each employee has their own idiosyncrasies, Corey (Lorna Courtney) is an overachiever, who has been best friends with Gina (Samantha Williams) since second grade. Gina is faced with a crisis, raised by an alcoholic mother, unexpectedly discovers that she is unable to afford college tuition. Other store employees include AJ (Liam Pearce) who is working up the nerve to tell Corey that he loves her (and chooses the perfect time 1:37), Debra (Analise Scarpaci) who has an abusive stepfather, and Mark (Eric Wiegand) who is starting a band even though he does not play an instrument.

Positive and Supportive

Empire Records creates a tight community, a place you can always return to. No matter what is happening in their lives current and former employees can find support there, this connection binds these misfit adolescents and helps them survive. When Debra shows up with a bandaged wrist and short hair, AJ understands. He organizes a mock funeral so she can hear how much her colleagues appreciate her.

Empire Records is a story about resilience, self-discovery, and friendship. It turns out that Lucas had taken the money in a misguided attempt to save the store. Together the employees come up with a plan to raise money with a concert which is publicized on the local news. At exactly 1:37 AM, Corey and AJ kiss on the roof, not according to plan (where he was supposed to tell her at 1:37 PM that he loved her) giving the show a happy ending.

One song ‘Who I Am and Who I Was’ was a standout, encapsulating the journey to adulthood. Although you may stray off the intended path, the show suggests that with focus, and friends amazing things can happen.

Our Thoughts

The performers were all wonderful in this high-energy performance which was a little too loud (making it difficult to understand some words). The show contains adult content exploring deeply disturbing and often ignored issues especially seen from the perspective of awkward adolescents including teenage suicide, alcoholic parents, the impact of divorce, and corporations buying out small local businesses. While these topics are tastefully done, this show is not appropriate for children.

Empire Records is a testament to the support of friends. Like always, we love shows with a happy ending, Empire Records: The Musical, makes you believe there is hope for the future.

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.

Empire Records: The Musical at the McCarter Theater in Princeton received 3 Challahs

Running Time: 1 hour and 37 minutes