One of the most beautiful things about legends and myths is that they often spring from truth. Written by playwright and lyricist Angelica Chéri and directed by Stevie Walker-Webb, the new Broadway musical “Wanted” is inspired by Chéri’s great-great aunts, Mary (Solea Pfeiffer) and Martha Clarke (Liisi LaFontaine). These black women living in post-emancipation Texas decided to pass as white and use their beauty and weapons to save the land and their family’s heritage. Unfortunately, despite the exceptional performances and vocal talent, the actual narrative of the play is not as compelling as it could be.
According to Kinfolk, the ensemble that draws the audience into the story, this tale begins in 1893 in Marlon, Texas, in the middle of a cotton field. After struggling and saving with their mother, Tallulah (a phenomenal Ledisi), sharecroppers Mary and Martha are eager to finally purchase the land the Clarke family has worked on for generations. However, the landowner, Mr. Billingsley (Nathan Quay Thomas), has other plans. Fueled by racist fury when the women offered $200 to own the property, he snapped. Rejecting their hard-earned money, he claims the Clarks are behind on rent and demands double or he will evict them.
With little recourse other than their pale skin, thanks to their long-lost French father, Mary and Martha set off together beyond Marlon’s country roads to earn money and save themselves and their mother from poverty. Yet as single women wandering the American South in the 19th century, they became an immediate target. Armed with Ole Bessie, Tallulah’s gun, the sisters soon discover that stealing and intimidation earns them money much faster than any other profession. Although their criminality brings them more than they bargained for, their carefully laid plans are thwarted when they stumble upon a saloon owned by the infamous Jesse Banks (Bradley Jaden), who immediately sets his sights on Mary.
However, the Clarke sisters are not really the outlaws that the play has tried to make them out to be. Aside from a few heists and some seductions and intrigues, the rebels’ story runs out of steam before it even really begins. Instead, Mary finds herself in love with Jesse, a rich white man who has no idea she is a black woman. Meanwhile, Martha finds herself reluctantly charmed by Elijah (Luke James), a black man employed by Jesse. It is only through their relationships with these different men that the conflict between the sisters arises, making the story less intriguing and more normal.
While the narrative isn’t particularly distinct, especially since the central plot focuses largely on the sisters’ search for love rather than their outlaw status or the true costs of death, the show’s voice talent is more than exceptional. Ledisi, LaFontaine and Pfeiffer are all phenomenal. Backed by an orchestra conducted by Paul Byssainthe, Jr., the piece features several notable numbers, including “Inheritance” and “Mary’s Nightmare.” But the rest of the musical numbers and lyrics don’t really pack a punch. Beowulf Boritt’s scenic design and Stefania Bulbarella’s video and projection design give the scene much-needed depth, allowing the audience to understand the texture of the time and place. The singing itself, however, is truly the glue that holds the whole show together.
While passing as an act of defiance and self-preservation is certainly interesting, these themes have been explored thoroughly in films like “Imitation of Life” from 1934 and 1959 and in books like “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett and “Passing” by Nella Larsen. Unfortunately, what Mary experiences is not a new or refreshing take on the subject. Instead, “Wanted” presents her as dangerously naive and incredibly selfish, far from the badass criminal she is initially portrayed as.
Ultimately, because of its cluttered book and themes, “Wanted” doesn’t really know what it’s about, resulting in a disappointing tale of who the Clarke sisters were and why their story stands out in American history. Lacking real focus and direction and relying heavily on a rushed love story, “Wanted” works best as a musical album. However, as a Broadway show, it just doesn’t measure up.
Gn entert
