New Broadway Musical 'Wanted' Dazzles Vocally But Falters On Story

The new Broadway musical "Wanted" brings the real-life history of Mary and Martha Clarke to the stage, though critics note the production's strong vocal performances outshine its uneven plot. Written by Angelica Chéri and directed by Stevie Walker-Webb, the show is inspired by Chéri's great-great aunts, two Black women living in post-emancipation Texas who used their pale skin to pass for white, using beauty and guns to protect their family land.

Plot And Production

Set in 1893 in Marlon, Texas, the story follows sharecroppers Mary and Martha as they struggle to buy the land their family has farmed for generations. After saving two hundred dollars, the sisters face eviction when the landowner, Mr. Billingsley, demands double payment out of racist fury. To save their mother Tallulah from poverty, the sisters use their pale skin to travel the American South, armed with a pistol named Ole Bessie. They soon turn to crime, robbing and intimidating others for cash, until they encounter a saloon owned by Jesse Banks, where Mary falls for Jesse and Martha is charmed by his employee Elijah.

Performances And Music

Despite the exciting setup, the rebel storyline fades as the plot shifts toward a conventional romance rather than the true costs of passing. The production's true strength lies in its stellar cast, featuring Ledisi as Tallulah, Solea Pfeiffer as Mary, and Liisi LaFontaine as Martha, alongside Bradley Jaden as Jesse and Luke James as Elijah. Backed by an orchestra led by Paul Byssainthe, Jr., the show features standout musical numbers like "Inheritance" and "Mary's Nightmare," supported by scenic design by Beowulf Boritt and video projection by Stefania Bulbarella.

Context

Broadway musicals often draw inspiration from real historical figures and familial archives to create dramatized stage productions. The theme of passing as white has a long history in American literature and film, exploring complex questions of identity and survival during times of racial oppression. Musicals that rely heavily on vocal talent can sometimes face criticism when their book and narrative structure fail to match the strength of the musical score.