What: A Sign of the Times
Where: New World Stages
340 W. 50th St.
New York, NY
Who: Recommended for Ages 11 and Up
When: Through June 2. 2024
A Sign of the Times is a new jukebox musical that takes place in the 1960s, and its score is filled with well-known music from that time period as well. I Only Want to Be With You, These Boots Are Made for Walkin', and Downtown are only a small sampling of the decade's popular songs that are a part of the musical's soundtrack. On the whole, the songs are quite fun. The voices are good in general, but the the two leading ladies, Chilina Kennedy and Crystal Lucas Perry really stand out in that department. Although they do nicely with all their numbers each has her particular powerhouse number. For Perry, it's Rescue Me, for Kennedy You Don't Own Me.
Aside from the songs, the over-the-top dancing and psychedelic colors constantly remind you that you are in the 60s. As does the plot which revolves around the push for change specifically for more equality between the races and the sexes. The two leading characters are admirable feisty strong independent women. Thus, it does not make any sense when one of them immediately falls for her sleazy boss who clearly only wants to make her his latest conquest, and this is after she smartly steers away from several other potential bosses who clearly only wanted the same thing. Although he may be a little more polished than the others, it is evident from the start that he is not that different. Therefore, it doesn't make sense that a smart young woman would fall for him, and the fact that she does takes away a little from the enjoyment of the show.
It is also kind of depressing that the show reminds us how little we have come in the past five decades or so and how some people are trying so hard to set us back even further. However, if you just dwell on the catchy pleasant songs and listening to the beautiful voices and don't think too hard about that or plot points that don't make sense, you can still enjoy this mostly fun show.
And that's our view. For more about A Sign of the Times or to purchase tickets, visit yorktheatre.org/asignofthetimes.
Tune in Saturday for Still More Theater Saturday.
Photo credits:
All A Sign of the Times production photos by Jeremy Daniel
Images used in this post have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or PR firms and are used by permission. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us here, and we will look into the matter.
Posts
