Playwright Tim Alderson grew up in Central California, working in the fields that belonged to his family. This influenced his taste in country music, specially what is called the Bakersfield sound, a blend of country and rock music. It’s no surprise that his first musical play, Salvage, pays tribute to this style.
Preacher (David Atkinson) spends most of his time drinking at a bar owned by Johnson (Leonard Earl Howze), playing his guitar and watching the world go by, one drink at a time. This sort of ritual is disrupted when Harley (Sam O’Byrne) shows up unexpectedly on his way to pawn his guitar. Once Harley reveals his admiration to this bar as his music hero Floyd Whitaker died there, he tries to strike a conversation with Preacher. The conversation turns sour, as Preacher is in no mood to revive the underlying issues of his grumpiness, issues that have been haunting him for years.
When Harley’s wife Destiny (Natalie Llerena) goes to the bar looking for him, an even more intriguing conversation develops among Preacher, Johnson, Harley, and Destiny, unveiling secrets that will change the course of the story and will define each character’s lives.
The libretto is an excellent work by Tim Anderson. The way the plot is intertwined with the music allows the characters to get into song seamlessly, making the music a powerful element to capture the main themes of this play: The giving up of one’s dreams, the encouragement, the hope, and the redemption. The voices of singers David, Sam, and Natalie are a very special touch to this musical production, each one providing a wide range of textures and styles. Leonard delivers his lines with a deep voice and extraordinary projection on stage, with a masterful command of dynamics.
Director Damian D. Lewis, a Juilliard School graduate, put together an excellent mixture of cast, lighting, and custom design, all working together to create an intimate experience that will resonate in the audience’s minds as the themes of this play are a reflection of our own lives.
Salvage is currently playing at The Hudson Theatres in Hollywood, CA.
Sep 09 2021 – Nov 14 2021
