'Wanted' review: a family legend rides onto Broadway
1 Minute Critic • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Wanted is a new original Broadway musical inspired by the true story of Angelica Chéri’s great-great-aunts, featuring sisters Mary and Martha Clarke fighting to buy their family’s land post-Emancipation.
- The show highlights themes of racial identity, family legacy, and freedom, with a strong cast led by Solea Pfeiffer, Liisi LaFontaine, and Ledisi, supported by a six-person chorus representing their ancestors.
- While Emilio Sosa’s period costumes receive praise, the production struggles with distracting video design and a score that could benefit from more musicians, reflecting budget constraints despite numerous producers.
- Directed by Stevie Walker-Webb and choreographed by Chelsey Arce, Wanted offers a rare original story on Broadway, standing out amid a landscape dominated by revivals and adaptations.
- Running two and a half hours at the James Earl Jones Theatre, Wanted combines powerful performances and historical urgency, making it a worthwhile experience despite some pacing and production issues.
