Review: 'Assassins' Still Something of a Nonsensical Mess

I have to admit that while I love musical theater, Steven Sondheim isn't one of my favorite musical wunderkinds. I know, I know, take away my theater cred and gay card, I just don't find the meandering "tell me a story" lyrics pleasing to the ear, and, for me, the songs just blend together into one.

Yes, I understand I'll get crucified for that, but that's my truth.
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So, keep this in mind as I review the East West Players' production of Sondheim's oft-criticized show "Assassins." While the show didn't do well in its initial debut, its numerous revivals fared better and put it back on the map. So, in that, I was curious.
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With EWP's staging, there is so much to appreciate, and every actor gives it their all. The only real problem is the source material. "Assassins" is a study, of sorts, about a handful of real people who have tried or succeeded in assassinating presidents. From John Wilkes Booth (Trance Thompson), to Squeaky Fromme (Astoncia Bhagat Lyman), to John Hinkley, Jr. (Arvin Lee), the show navigates their personalities, briefly shows their backstories, and attempts to explain why they did what they did, all leading up to one of the few assassins who actually succeeded: Lee Harvey Oswald (Adam Koakept).
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The setup of the show is like a carnival game where you shoot moving objects to win a prize. Here, the stage is set up with twelve doors that open and close, six on the bottom and six on top. One by one we hear the assassin's stories, but at the same time, they interact with other assassins in a magical real construct. In the end, they all pin their hopes on Oswald to actually succeed, even though a few of these assassins made their attempts after the Kennedy assassination occurred. Not to mention, Wilkes Booth also succeeded. In that, the show itself is a bit of a nonsensical mess.
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Despite the source material, the East West Players always puts on a terrific show, and their cast makes up for the problems with the book. The color-blind casting is an added bonus, although you sometimes find yourself having to pay close attention to whom they are portraying as a result.
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Thompson was outstanding as Booth. With his domineering presence and gorgeous voice, he was hard to take your eyes off of, and he's interesting casting for a character who assassinated a president trying to end slavery. Lyman as Fromme is also fun to watch, as is her cohort in crime, the young mother Sara Jane Moore (Joan Almedilla). Her oftentimes hilarious portrayal of an everywoman hoping to take a stand by, well, murdering President Gerald Ford is a highlight.
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As mentioned, the set is clever and fun, and the projections that alter the look and feel of the set work beautifully. The house band works perfectly in the space, never overpowering the performers so they can shine.
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As a fan of this theater company, I've never been disappointed. While this Sondheim curiosity is certainly not a musical I'll seek out in the future, the EWP still put on an entertaining and zippy show that, if nothing else, is a showcase for the talent on stage and off.
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"Assassins" runs through March 20th�at the East West Players, 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA. For tickets and for information on upcoming productions, visit�www.eastwestplayers.org.