REVIEW: Utopia, Ohio
Who knew that 30 miles east of Cincinnati, a real life utopian community once existed?
UTOPIA, OHIO is a new musical written and produced by Joshua Steele, following the real history of three little-known utopian experiments through the voices of individuals whose lives led them there: a widowed shoemaker, a Black man who escapes enslavement with his family, and a Jewish immigrant fleeing persecution.
Featuring a cast full of gifted actors playing their own instruments, with projections of historical images, this brand-new musical explores themes still relevant today - maybe even more so than ever.
Steele has just been working on this piece for about a year; it’s impressive in its musicality. But also, the characters are richly developed, and Act Two especially pops with commanding storytelling. The cast, most of whom play multiple instruments throughout, have rich, vibrant voices and distinct personalities and are quite well-rehearsed for a show like this. The musical is directed by Zack Steele, who also performs as Moises, and he keeps the action tight and well-paced while shaping the stories being told cohesively. Zack is a compelling performer with a charismatic smile and rich vocal tone. Also in the cast is Linsey Rogers, a terrific vocalist, and engaging actress. Jennie Malone, an accomplished talent, is a boon to the production with her multi-faceted skillset. At the same time, local guitar legend, Brad Myers, surprises with his hilarious and unique characterizations throughout the show. Finally, Jeremiah Savon Jackson brings sincerity and compassion to his role as “Samuel.”
I’d love to see some of the songs cut shorter with more narrative storytelling, either through dialogue or even the addition of a narrator to lead us through the fantastic tale unfolding on stage. The lyrics are well-crafted, though, and the compositions are melodic and pleasing to the ear. The bottom line: this is a beautiful piece of theatre with a compelling story and a toe-tapping, inspiring soundtrack.
It’s sold out for the rest of its run; I sincerely doubt this is the last opportunity you’ll have to see it, though. Keep an eye out for more info at Hugo West Theatricals’ website.