The Legend of the Sisters Clarke” on Broadway
Chicago Tribune • • entertainment
Key Points:
- The new Broadway musical "Wanted" features dual female protagonists, Martha and Mary Clarke, sisters from 1893 Texas who use their light skin to pass as white and become gun-slinging outlaws fighting racism and injustice.
- The show opens with engaging performances and a lively, empowering feminist tone, supported by a stirring score from Ross Baum and a strong Black chorus called the Kinfolk.
- However, the plot becomes complicated and loses momentum when one sister falls in love with a white man, leading to a sudden and jarring conflict between the sisters that undermines their earlier bond.
- The musical struggles to balance satire and moral messaging, resulting in underdeveloped emotional connections and a lack of logical character progression, which weakens the overall impact.
- Despite promising elements and strong supporting roles, "Wanted" ultimately falters due to inconsistent storytelling and less compelling performances, particularly from Luke James.
