Review: 'We Will Rock You' by Landmark Community Theatre

Dedicated to the memory of all our late rock stars

Thomaston, CT - Landmark Community Theatre is raising the roof at the historic Thomaston Opera House with a breathtaking production of WE WILL ROCK YOU. The jukebox rock musical ties together many of the iconic songs of the British rock band Queen with a story and script by Ben Elton. Music and lyrics by Queen mix with an original vocal score by Mike Dixon, Brian May and Roger Elton and original orchestrations by Steve Sidwell.

WWRY tells the story of a group of young Bohemians who struggle to restore the free exchange of thought, fashion, and live music in a distant future where everyone dresses, thinks and acts the same. In this world, musical instruments and composers are forbidden, and rock music is unknown or hilariously misunderstood. There are lots of sly references to classic rock lyrics that even the very young will appreciate and the well-known tunes rock the house until the final note.

Landmark is presenting the North American version of WWRY and director/choreographer Foster Evans Reese ensured that the energy level was very high when necessary. Sean Lewis served as the music director and played keyboard on the top level of the stage. Stage Manager Patti Rice ensured that all of the tech elements were perfectly timed.

The talented musicians who came down to the stage for a bow at curtain call included costumer Kate Luurtsema on keyboard 2, Mark Garthwaite shredding his electric guitar, Joe DeMilio on guitar 2, Paul Bilodeau on electric bass, Dave Wilson on off stage drums and CJ Janis subbing for Bob Kogut on percussion. There were a few songs that I didn’t recognize, but rest assured that there is “Somebody to Love,” “Under Pressure,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “Another One Bites the Dust,” and the songs about the bicycles, champions, the killer queen and of course, the beloved Bohemian Rhapsody. Also expect an homage to Freddie Mercury. I thoroughly enjoyed every musical number, whether big or small, and could never pick a few favorites.

The costumes designed by Kate Luurtsema were futuristic and classically rocking, with one more detailed than the next. Each one matched the characters’ position in this society of the future and added so much to the look of this show. I loved seeing what this costume designer envisioned what academic dress will look like in the future. Also adding to the look was the set and lighting design of Jameson Willey. Lasers mounted on the stage often produced a laser light show at the back curved wall of the balcony without blinding the audience and were extremely effective. Mr. Willey also served as the technical director.

Meric Martin is perfectly cast in the role of the “dreamer” Gal, who hears strange words in his head and has the full name (direct from “Bohemian Rhapsody”) Galileo Figaro. This talented singer slayed the works of Queen while bringing out the character of the confused but driven young man. It made me smile when Mr. Martin was required to badly play the “ax” that he eventually pulls from a rock (a la a sword,) for this actor is also a talented musician. Brittany Mulcahy (GREASE) was the perfect strong young woman for the part of Scaramouche, but don’t call her a rocker “chick.”

Leah Juliett, now in their final year at WCSU, totally owned the role of Killer Queen, a commanding villain that was supremely confident and rules the iPlanet with an iron fist. The fabulously form-fitting ensemble and sleeveless coat that was almost a cape were both regal and rocking and both were topped with a towering red wig. Colin Cummings took on the role of Khashoggi, head of Globalsoft's police and a henchman of sorts to the queen.

Ed Bassett (in his LCT stage debut) rocked a sixties-inspired gray wig to play the role of Buddy, an elderly librarian trying to figure out the "exact date the music died;" he is constantly trying to piece together the artifacts of rock and roll with hilarious mispronunciations of words like “television” and “video.”

“Imagine ROCK OF AGES and ROCKY HORROR had a baby and it is WE WILL ROCK YOU.” - Ed Bassett

Robert Melendez played the guy named Britney Spear who is the main male Bohemian rebel and Erica Blasko’s character who is the main female Bohemian goes by the name “Oz” as in Ozzy Osbourne. Amanda Gross wailed the lyrics as a featured soloist all while playing one of the Bohemians.

The ensemble that were all dressed in classic rock outfits and played Yuppies, Bohemians, Ga Ga kids and Youth of the Future included Galvin Brayton, Laura Busk, Rhiannon Carta, Zachary Cote, Malie Grasmere, Aric Martin, Lilly McGrath, Christine Mitchell-Robinson, Susan Patrick, Nicholas Pietrorazio and Destiny Whitten. Every single one was a fine dancer of the choreography designed by the director. The special award for performing while hurt goes to WZBG’s Amy Ferrarotti for being onstage on a knee scooter and still managing to rock out with her castmates in her large boot.

I was blown away by the very loud rock music and everything else about this brilliantly fun musical. I highly recommend trying to score a ticket for one of the remaining performances to WE WILL ROCK YOU before it closes. They include September 28, 29, October 5, 6 @ 8pm September 30, October 7 @ 2pm Adults $26, Seniors & Students $23

Nancy Sasso Janis and CJ Janis Photo by Gary Rosengrant

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417