Andrew Durand, Jeb Brown and Band (Photo: Matthew Murphy)

Dead Outlaw

By Matthew Roland

Sneaking in at the end of April as one of the final musicals to transfer from off-Broadway and open on Broadway this season, Dead Outlaw tells the thrilling true story of a notorious criminal whose corpse was turned into a carnival attraction-and ultimately left a greater impact on the world after his death than he did during his lifetime.

This remarkable show is filled with so many twists and turns that at times, you'll find yourself questioning whether it could possibly be true. But, astonishingly, all of it really happened over the span of 170 years. What truly sets this production apart is its wide array of musical genres, from bluegrass to rock, folk to jazz, which expertly drive the story through a somber yet poignant passage of time.

Jeb Brown, Andrew Durand and Eddie Cooper (Photo: Matthew Murphy)

As directed by David Cromer, the show finds a surprising sense of stillness amidst its wild concept. Cromer skilfully highlights both the highs and lows of the journey, guiding us through an emotional and thought-provoking story-all within the tight span of one hour and forty minutes.

Leading this production is Andrew Durand, who has earned a Tony nomination for his portrayal of Elmer McCurdy. For much of the show, Durand is lifeless-both literally and figuratively, in the best possible way. He fully embodies McCurdy, establishing the character's essence before he's confined to a coffin, which is then rolled around the stage for the rest of the performance.

Trent Saunders, Eddie Cooper, Thom Sesma, Andrew Durand, Dashiell Eaves (Photo: Matthew Murphy)

Another standout in the show is Jeb Brown, who plays the bandleader and narrator, Jarrett. His rock 'n' roll persona and sound help to propel the story, uniting its sprawling narrative across time. His performance brings a sense of continuity to the otherwise fragmented story.

The set design by Arnulfo Maldonado is simple yet highly effective, creating the atmosphere of a local bar where you'd expect to hear your favorite band play a killer set. Combined with a fantastic score by David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna, the production perfectly captures the country feel, tying everything together seamlessly. Sarah Laux's period costume designs further enhance the world onstage, tying everything together with thoughtful detail and cohesion.

At first, Dead Outlaw took a moment to settle into, but by the end, I was completely hooked by its unique structure. It's a show unlike any other on Broadway right now-and one I believe is not to be missed.

Dead Outlaw

At the Longacre Theatre

220 West 48^th St

Running time: 1:40, no intermission

Tickets: https://deadoutlawmusical.com/tickets#calendar