The musical reunites three creators of the Tony-winning “The Band’s Visit”: director David Cromer, composer David Yazbek, and writer Itamar Moses, whose book for “Dead Outlaw” gives new meaning to “deadpan humor” as he slyly and concisely tells a wild Americana story that’s mostly true — with the nuttiest parts being the factual ones. A few are by the sole female in the show, Julia Knitel, a marvel whether playing Elmer’s abandoned sweetheart or a young girl who finds a relatable confidante in a corpse. Sesma has a forensic showstopper when Noguchi turns into a Vegas showman with a fabulously cheesy and cheeky lounge number, “Up in the Stars.” Trent Saunders is also a standout as Andy Payne, the Cherokee runner who won the first cross-country road race event in 1928 — with Elmer’s corpse a traveling side attraction.
Author: Gordon Cox
Published at: 2025-04-27 21:00:00
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