Title: Floyd Collins
Location: The Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Center
Written By: Adam Guettel (music and lyrics) and Tina Landau (book and additional lyrics)
Summary: In 1925 Kentucky, a man named Floyd Collins get stuck in a cave, creating a media sensation.
Highlights: Based on a true story, this gorgeous and haunting musical that premiered Off-Broadway in 1996 with only 25 performances is finally having its Broadway premiere almost 30 years later - and it's about time. I fell in love with the show when I saw Theater Latte Da's production in 2006 (which was actually the first Latte Da show I ever saw), buying the Off-Broadway cast recording and even reading the book about the real events. Like Adam Guettel's Tony-winning score for Light in the Piazza, the Floyd Collins score is so evocative of the emotions of this story - hope, despair, confusion, love - that sometimes it doesn't even need words. It has that folky Americana sound of the time and place (not many Broadway orchestras have a harmonica), and it sounds so gorgeous in the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Center (which is currently celebrating their 40th anniversary); the acoustics of the huge thrust stage, cavernous space, and orchestra under the stage are perfect for scores like this (The Light in the Piazza was also staged here, and I've seen Camelot and South Pacific in this space, both very memorable). Book writer and director Tina Landau (Adam's frequent collaborator who is also the book writer and director for the new musical Redwood) uses the space well; the stage starts off completely empty, with panels in the floor opening to form slopes and the cave entrance, Floyd seated on a rock shaped like a lounge chair on the side of the stage for much of the story. As rescue operation builds and the media circus increases outside the cave, the stage fills with equipment, balloons, and carnival games. But we never lose the heart of the story, which is Floyd's love for his family and desire to make them proud and take care of them, particularly his sister Nellie. Jeremy Jordan brings great humanity to the role of Floyd, as well as beautiful vocals on this tricky score that is not always pleasant to listen to. You truly feel his pain and despair as it becomes evident he's not getting out. Highlights in the strong ensemble cast include Jason Gotay as Floyd's brother Homer, with some moving duets between them; Taylor Trensch as a reporter who becomes one of the rescuers and forms a bond with Floyd; and singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine making her Broadway debut as Nellie, a role that feels like it was written for her and her sweet folky voice.
There's something about a person trapped in a hole that has always fascinated us, but this story is so much more than that. The themes of poverty, striving for a better life, the media's obsession with and exploitation of victims, and the public's hunger for it, are all still very relevant. I saw an early preview of the show, but it was already so strong and polished that it will remain with me for some time.
*Once again, I'm using an abbreviated Fringe-style summary for my NYC 2025 trip, since I am in the greatest city in the world with much more exciting things to do than write! Click here to see all of my Broadway-related blog posts.
