“The Connector” is a captivating new musical, playing at MCC Theater’s Newman Mills Theater (511 W. 52nd Street). It is a musical about journalism and the lengths that a journalist will go to for success.
With a book by Jonathan Marc Sherman, “The Connector” tells the story of Ethan Dobson, an ambitious young writer who has long read and loved the Connector magazine and wanted to be part of it. When he gets an opportunity to meet the magazine’s publisher, Conrad O’Brien, he makes the best of it and, before you know it, his career has taken off.
A copyeditor at the magazine, Robin Martinez, has been with the magazine for some time. She has repeatedly submitted stories to the publisher but, as a woman and a minority, she finds that her work is not even looked at.
The magazine has been around for decades and has a good reputation and loyal readership. The publisher sees in Ethan the journalist he used to be and encourages Ethan to challenge himself. Not only does Ethan write stories that capture the readership, but the magazine issues that contain his stories sell better than those without.
But something about Ethan seems just too good to be true.
Other journalists at the magazine, such as Robert, a Black journalist, and Muriel, a fact checker, have been at the magazine since it began. Muriel boldly questions the facts of Ethan’s stories, but her opinion is not respected when it comes to his work. The questions come up: What is the truth? Can a journalist decide that something is true without having facts to back it up? Is sensationalism more important than truth?
This musical puts a spotlight on the integrity of journalists, and what some may resort to doing to become famous and succeed.
This musical features wonderful music, lyrics, orchestration, and arrangements by Jason Robert Brown; is conceived and directed by Daisy Prince; and has marvelous choreography by Karla Puno Garcia.
The cast delivers quite memorable performances. Scott Bakula was engaging as Conrad, and Ben Levi Ross was captivating as Ethan—it was especially interesting to watch the development and downfall of his character. Hannah Cruz was magnificent as Robin—her voice was amazing and she played this role with such spirit and heart!
Fergie Philippe gave dazzling performances in dual roles of Robert/Willie. Jessica Molaskey shined beautifully as Muriel. Mylinda Hull was a stunning comic relief as Mona Bland, a loyal reader to the paper, who often sent critiques and praise for its stories.
The other capable cast members included Max Crumm, Ashley Perez Flanagan, Danielle Lee Greaves, Daniel Jenkins, Eliseo Roman, Ann Sanders, and Michael Winther.
The technical team includes scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Marion Talan de la Rosa, lighting design by Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew, and sound design by Jon Weston.
For more info, visit www.mcctheater.org.
