In the 1930s, families were going through uncharted territory as they paved their way through economic hardships at home and enemies abroad. Woody Guthrie advocated for the people and used their own words in his songs. He observed and reported, refusing to be quiet or be threatened by labels like “communist” or “socialist.” In an ironic twist of fate, the themes of the theatrical musical, Woody Guthrie’s American Song, still ring true today.
The play retells Guthrie’s life through a series of vignettes that emphasize his need to make people feel better … his desire to show that all people are equal. Actors in the show each take on Guthrie’s persona at different times in his life. Songs like “Do Re Mi,” Grand Coulee Dam” and “The Sinking of the Rueben James” are just as powerful today. His brilliant lyrics are historical retellings of tragic events. Yet, somehow you feel the need to sing along and feel better for doing so.
The first half of the show is both lively and entertaining. The second half is a bit slower and couldn’t keep the same pace. Perhaps the show would have benefited from putting more fast-paced songs in the second half. The cast did a great job of rallying attendees to sing along. By the grand finale, the audience members were singing, swaying from side to side and smiling, while taking part in a rousing rendition of “This Land Belongs to You and Me.”Guthrie inspired future folk singers like Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. He also impacted singers like Bruce Springsteen. Woody Guthrie’s American Song is both a tribute to an American icon and a musical history lesson rolled into an entertaining theater performance.
Grade: B
