By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com
photo by Tim Fuller
From left, Joan Ryan as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Nancy Opel as Sandra Day O'Connor and Chanel Bragg as Vera.
We come here to praise Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg for their tradition-smashing work to bring about more fair treatment for women in the eyes of the law and the United States Constitution.
The vehicle for this exuberant praise is Lauren Gunderson's adamant “Justice: A Musical,” a 90-minute history lesson with music by Bree Lowdermilk and lyrics by Kait Kerrigan, directed by Melissa Crespo, who was recognized in 2020 by the Broadway Women's Fund as one of the “Women to Watch on Broadway.”
Arizona Theatre Company, whetting its cutting edge as a leader in the encouragement of minority activists of every stripe, has opened the world premiere production of “Justice” downtown at the Temple of Music and Art.
The feeling of being present for a significant theatrical event was palpable on opening night. Nancy Opel plays the ever charming Sandra Day O'Connor, a clear-eyed Christian conservative (who was raised in Arizona), able to glow with the best of them, while Joan Ryan controlled the stage as rascally Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the scrappy New York Jewish liberal who became the hero of every female co-conspirator coast to coast.
Balancing this obstreperous duo of judgmental jurisprudence is ATC's own Chanel Bragg as Vera, kind of a narrator but more importantly the one who carves out the space recently filled in real life by Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman elected to the Supreme Court.
Just for a quick recap of current events, playwright Gunderson began working on “Justice” a couple of years ago, long before a new spot on the court opened up and President Joe Biden fulfilled his promise to nominate a Black female. So...“Justice” was mostly written before the new Supreme Court Justice was nominated.
ATC's administration, declaring the new play a work in progress, shaped the role of Vera to fill in the details confirming that O'Connor and RBG had not toiled in vain. Vera portrays several prominent figures from the years between 1993 and now. At the dramatic conclusion of this celebration, Bragg's Vera steps forward as Ketanji Brown Jackson to represent the new look and new future of America's highest court.
“Justice” is subtitled “A Musical.” While the program does list 17 separate numbers, there are no swirling black robes or charismatic tap dancers. All three women do have impressive vocal chops, to be sure, and make the most of them.
Bragg is particularly effective bringing out the emotion of her songs. By the time we got to the closing reprise of “New Justice” and the triumphant trio singing “We the People” on opening night, the eager ATC audience was on its feet cheering for more.
The stage design by Tanya Orellana is distinguished and respectful, demanding that attention must be paid. But the music itself has a satisfying gospel flavor, with soaring solos for all three women to enhance the serious spirit. My favorite line was when they rhymed “mensch” with “bench.”
“Justice: A Musical” continues through April 30 at the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. Performances run 90 minutes, Wednesdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $40-$73, box office telephone is 1-833-ATC-SEAT (833-282-7328). For further details and tickets online, atc.org
No comments:
Post a Comment