‘Molly Brown’ to charm Logan audiences
Audience members will love keeping “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” afloat tonight in the Ellen Eccles Theatre.
“It’s a unique musical theater work,” said Michael Ballam, Utah State University music professor who teaches a course on the history of musical theater. “It should speak to us very poignantly.”
“The Unsinkable Molly Brown” is the tale of a real-life self-made American, Molly Brown. She overcame the odds and achieved the approval she desperately sought from the “Beautiful People of Denver.” Based on the true story of a woman who was born in the backwoods near Hannibal, Mo., the musical follows her life from impoverished beginnings to marriage to a lucky prospector who strikes it rich in the gold rush.
Her down-home charm and simple sensibilities make her the toast of Monte Carlo society and endear her to European royalty. Her never-say-die attitude helped her achieve many things in life, most memorably was her surviving the sinking of the Titanic.
“The Unsinkable Molly Brown” has charmed Broadway and film audiences with its title role, in the tradition of such unforgettable characters as Auntie Mame, Dolly Levi and Mama Rose. The musical score is provided by Meredith Wilson who wrote the unforgettable songs from “The Music Man.”
With songs such as “I Ain’t Down Yet,” “Belly up to the Bar Boys,” “Colorado, My Home” and “I’ll Never Say No,” many say “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” is funny, light, uplighting and uniquely American.
A reviewer for the New Journal American wrote, “Indigenous American musical comedy. It is the kind of thing we do better than anybody else in the world and when we do it well as in this instance, it is a time for rejoicing.”
“Molly Brown” has received more recognition worldwide since Kathy Bates played Brown’s character in the international blockbuster movie “Titanic.” The original stage production opened on Broadway in 1960 and ran for 532 performances. The 1964 movie version of “Molly Brown” starred Debbie Reynolds and Harve Presnell. Reynolds received an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Molly.
“The Unsinkable Molly Brown” is tonight at 7:30. Tickets are $35, $29 and $20, and USU students receive a 25 percent discount with a USU ID. A 15 percent discount is also available for those who have purchased tickets to four or more Ellen Eccles Theatre events this season. Call 752-0026 or visit the ticket office at 43 S. Main St. for tickets or more information.
-acbailey@cc.usu.edu