“Empire Records The Musical” is everything fans of the film could hope for and more. Carol Heikkinen, the brilliance behind the film that has become a cult classic, does the book with Zoe Sarnak doing the honors on the music and lyrics. The savor is like a familiar recipe with a modern flair. Thoroughly enjoyable, this is an all-ages show.
The audience ranged from teens to elders and the classic tunes and the storefront pre-curtain set with band posters gives a lot of visual stimulation. Your gaze will tune itself to peer inside past the “doors” of the store then come to rest again on a band poster before wandering off again. David Rockwell’s scenic design is well complemented by Rocio Mendez lights and John Shivers sound design. Paloma Young’s costumes give us character insight even before the first words occur.
Directed by Trip Cullman, known for his deft touch with new work, with choreography by Ellenore Scott, there is the vibrance and the full on energy of youth from high school through college and beyond, to the beginning of new dreams that are different from where they originated. Life is always in motion and so is this dynamic cast.
The story, for those unfamiliar, has all the feels of the 1995 source material “Empire Records”. Adding the extra dimension of original music with performances that hearken to your favorite singers from that time, the cast is a marvel of energy, song and connection. Everything you enjoy, with a twist.
Joe’s (Michael Luwoye) on the horns of a dilemma. Originally a youth employee like his staff, he is now the owner of Empire Records, a small yet deep boutique music store. He is contemplating joining the franchisees of soul-less giant MusicTown as it’s becoming more and more difficult to keep up the business. His employees, most of them working to start their own bands or involved in music in various ways, will consider joining the franchise to be selling out as much as he himself will. The choice is that, or go under. His employee AJ (Liam Pearce) is the neon sign-whisperer who tries to keep things electrified with the roof sign – with mixed results. AJ is smitten with his winsome coworker Corey (Lorna Courtney) around whom he can barely speak. Corey’s bestie Gina (Samantha Williams) can see what Corey can’t and she encourages AJ to find his fortitude and tell Corey how he feels. The song “One Thirty Seven” is so fun and poignant and *spoiler alert* guess how long the show is? Truly, all the feels. Lucas (Tyler McCall) is the beatnik throwback who has good-hearted reasons for doing un-reasoned actions while Mark (Eric Wiegand) is perpetually working to start a band and can’t get started. Debra (Analise Scarpaci) is a deep running river – calm at the top with an undercurrent. Ms Scarpaci creates Debra in minimal strokes with maximum effect, like a Japanese sumi-e painting. We meet this crew on Rex Manning Day and when Rex Manning (Damon Daunno) makes his entrance with record company exec Max (Taylor Iman Jones) as sherpa for the day, sparks fly in all directions and not just from the sign on the roof. Max and Joe are friends of long-standing and the song “Where I Am and Who I Was” has an affect felt by everyone of any level of experience who wonders how they got where they find themselves.
Daunno’s Rex Manning has the fragile ego with feet of clay that we expect from an aging rock star. Instead of celebrating his fame in France, he bemoans the lack of fame at home. Joe and Max discuss their youthful good times at Empire and even as the world changes, new vistas open up.
“Empire Records The Musical” closes October 6, though it lives on in your heart. Load up the car with your friends and have a toe-tapping good time! Visit the box office at www.McCarter.org.