Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The late Elizabeth Swados’s messy, urgent RUNAWAYS, in a revival via Encores! Off-Center, throbs and thrills

• By drediman
• July 8, 2016
• No Comments

In 1978, the late Elizabeth Swados, who sadly passed away this January, penned Runaways, the throbbing, improbable Tony-nominated musical about young runaways living on the streets of New York City. Swados’s revue-like musical is reminiscent of two shows of that era, Hair and A Chorus Line. Indeed, all three shows originated from that greatest of musical incubators, the Public Theater (a little-known musical called Hamilton was also birthed there). Like those shows, Runaways favors the notion of the collective over individual star turns, urgently depicting the uncelebrated lives of a misunderstood group. If Ms. Swados’s show lacks the polish and accessibility of the two mentioned iconic shows, it certainly doesn’t lack in palpable angst. Like the troubled juvenile community it endeavors brings to life, the show is fascinatingly – if frustratingly – messy, unfiltered, and confounding.

Sam Pinkleton’s immediate, swiftly-paced production for the wonderful Encores! Off-Center series (now in its fourth season) – viscerally choreographed by Ani Taj – manages to create a thrilling tapestry from potentially precious material. Much of the credit goes to his rowdy and fierce 24-strong cast of young, relatively inexperienced performers. Performers like Sophia Anne Caruso and MJ Rodriguez manage to be at once thoroughly authentic and compelling stage presences. The gritty world is completed by an inspired design team – Donayle Werele on sets, Clint Ramos on costumes, and Mark Barton on lights. Lastly, the excellent onstage band is expertly led by Chris Fenwick. I can’t think of a better way to commemorate Ms. Swados’s influential career than in this exceptional revival.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

RUNAWAYS
Off-Broadway, Musical
Encores! Off-Center at New York City Center
1 hour, 25 minutes (without an intermission)
Through July 9