Lauren Molina portrays Sara in TUTS Underground’s production of “Murder Ballad.” (Credit: TUTS Underground)
With raw, unbridled passion set to hard rock, the national regional premiere of “Murder Ballad” storms the stage of TUTS Underground this month straight from the New York stage.
When a case of poor judgment thrusts Upper Eastsider Sara (Lauren Molina) into a wicked love triangle, she is dogged by a complicated mix of men, parenthood and alibis until the show’s abrupt and fatal conclusion.
See the Video Trailer for “Murder Ballad” Below!
One part “RENT,” one part “Rock of Ages,” and with all the sex, scandal and drama of a reality show bingefest, “Murder Ballad” is as thrilling as it is chilling.
The production shines a light on the darkest parts of the human condition when love and the compromises we make in relationships can lead to dire consequences.
From the very opening chords, it becomes apparent this isn’t your typical show.
Hobby Center’s Zilkha Hall is transformed into the illustrious King’s Club, where a real, fully-operational bar greets theatergoers before the show begins; after last call, however, the bar becomes center stage as love, lust and a war for authenticity entangles before a packed audience, some even seated at bar tables on set.
Molina delivers a stellar performance as the embattled Sara, who carries her emotions on her sleeve. When she feels pain, we feel pain. When she gains resolve, we’re ready to take up arms with her.
The show’s male players are exceptional vehicles for Ballad’s sultry plot twists and turns. In Tom, portrayed by Steel Burkhardt, a sensual lover that gains easy favor as a New York playboy. In Michael, portrayed by Pat McRoberts, an engaging intellectual with a lot of heart. It becomes easy to see why Sara is so torn.
But, perhaps the most influential–and entertaining–voice of the evening comes from the narrator herself. From her grand entrance down the floor-to-ceiling spiraling staircase, Kristen Warren steals the show as this tragedy’s sexy Greek chorus of one.
Warren’s narrator is like the Ghost of Christmases Past and Present collided with the love child of Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, pulling back the curtain of both time and space as she whips her pink-adorned hair around up until the very banging end of “Murder Ballad.”
The production features a spellbinding book and concept by Julia Jordan, lyrics by rock singer/songwriter Juliana Nash, and choreographed by Michelle Gaudette. Bruce Lumpkin directs.
“Murder Ballad” runs until April 27 in the Hobby Center.
Tickets for “Murder Ballad” are available online at TUTSUnderground.com, by phone at (713)558-TUTS and at the Theatre Under the Stars box office, at 800 Bagby. For mature audiences due to sexual content and adult language.
REVIEW: Fatal Attraction Unravels as ‘Murder Ballad’ Rocks TUTS Underground was originally published on news92fm.com
