Dead Outlaw

 Dead Outlaw
Longacre Theatre
April 26, 2025

Photo courtesy of Dead Outlaw

Good storytelling makes its way to Broadway in the production of Dead Outlaw.  The music, by David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna, sets the tone and pace that creates a throughline for the action.  The book, by Itamar Moses, makes a clear distinction between the factual discoveries and the fictional elements in the story.  It all that weaves together in a tall tale that entertains and mystifies.  The mood is playful and light, while the lyrics, also by David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna, combine a somber sense of sentimentality with a jolting story of how life that goes on after death.

In the 1970s, it was discovered that an amusement park puppet was actually the mummified remains of a human being.  The autopsy report uncovered bits of information that lead Coroner Noguchi (played by Thom Sesma) to believe it was the remains of Elmer McCurdy (played by Andrew Durand), who was born in 1911.  The story of Elmer’s life was relatively average, except for his failed attempt at being a legendary bank robber, which led to his getting shot and killed.  When Elmer’s body is not claimed by family, Coroner Johnson (played by Eddie Cooper) injects the body with arsenic, causing long term preservation.  This is the beginning of an adventure that surpasses any experience Elmer had before his death. 

Andrew Durand & Jeb Brown
Photo courtesy of Dead Outlaw

Jeb Brown leads the band and narrates the tale.  He is clear and focused, keeping the story rolling and the tone consistent.  Andrew Durand creates the character of Elmer McCurdy with pathos and gumption.  The audience connects to him right away.  He is a truly empathetic character.  His childhood is filled with sorrow.  He sabotages his one chance for true love.  It is funny how he fails at becoming an outlaw, yet the audience roots for his success.  For the final third of the show, Mr. Durand stands in a coffin as the mummified remains of his character.  He creates an eerie presence that keeps the character connected to the events that follow his death.

Trent Saunders, Andrew Durand, & Eddie Cooper
Photo courtesy of Dead Outlaw

The remaining six cast members play numerous roles.  Julia Knitel is outstanding.  Her portrayal of Maggie, Elmer’s love interest, and Milicent, a young teen who shares her inner thoughts with Elmer’s mummified remains, are honest, warm and vulnerable.  Thom Sesma delivers a rousing number as Coroner Noguchi, telling how he threads together evidence from an autopsy to build a complete story of life and death.  Eddie Cooper shows his versatility and strength, especially in the roles of Grandpa and Coroner Johnson.  Trent Saunders has a stellar scene and song as Andy Payne.  It ends on a somber and striking note.  There are also impressive performances by Dashiell Eaves and Ken Marks.

Dead Outlaw is playing at the Longacre Theatre.  In a time of high-tech productions with jaw dropping special effects, it is refreshing to sit back and experience good storytelling, country rhythms, and simple, innovative staging. 

Domenick Danza