Bonnie & Clyde on Broadway
The was the official website for the 2011 Broadway show, Bonnie and Clyde. Content is from the site's 2011 archived pages and other outside sources.
THEATER
Schoenfeld Theatre
36 West 45th Street
New York, NY 10036
Two small-town kids from the middle of nowhere became the biggest folk heroes in all America. They craved adventure—and each other. Their names were Bonnie and Clyde.
LAURA OSNES (Grease, Anything Goes) and JEREMY JORDAN (Newsies, West Side Story) star as the 20th century’s most infamous duo, as the daring story of love and crime that captured the imagination of a country takes aim at a whole new generation.
Featuring music by Tony® nominee Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde), lyrics by Tony® and Oscar® winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard), a book by Emmy® Award nominee Ivan Menchell and direction by Tony® nominee Jeff Calhoun (Newsies) this sexy new musical has claimed the Schoenfeld Theatre as its hideout. And after stealing hearts—and rave reviews—from the La Jolla Playhouse to the Asolo Rep, there may just be no stopping BONNIE & CLYDE.
You’ve read the story of Jesse James,
of how he lived and died.
If you’re still in need
Of something to read,
Here’s the story of Bonnie and Clyde.
Bonnie Parker, 1934
Bonnie & Clyde on Broadway
IMAGE CAST
Team
Ivan Menchell
Book
Broadway: The Cemetery Club, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (additional material). Off-Broadway: Smiling Through, We’ll Meet Again. US and UK Tours: The Prince and the Pauper, The Surprise Party. Screen credits include: The Cemetery Club, Napoleon (co-writer). Television credits include: writer/producer of “JONAS”, “Phil of the Future”, “The Nanny”, “Time of Your Life” and “Bedtime”. Mr. Menchell is the recipient of a Fulbright fellowship for his playwriting and a graduate of the Yale School of Drama.
John McDaniel
Music Supervision / Orchestrations / Arrangements
Television: The Rosie O'Donnell Show (2 Emmy Awards), Friar's Roasts '99-'02, Tony Awards '97-'00 as arranger, A Rosie Christmas, A Family is a Family (HBO). Broadway: Catch Me If You Can, Brooklyn (also Producer), Annie Get Your Gun, Taboo, Chicago, Grease, Patti LuPone on Broadway. Recordings as Producer: Annie Get Your Gun (Grammy Award), The Maury Yeston Songbook, Brooklyn, Taboo, The Journey Home (Malcolm Gets), John McDaniel at the Piano (Broadway, Christmas, Compositions and Live at Joe's Pub). Recent: Daughter of the Regiment (Opera Theatre of St. Louis), Robin & The 7 Hoods (Old Globe), Happy Days (National Tour), Bonnie & Clyde (La Jolla Playhouse and Asolo Theatre), Pirates! (Goodspeed, Paper Mill & Huntington Theatre, Boston), Music director/arranger for Tyne Daly nightclub act, NYC and LA, Guest Conductor at Major Symphony Orchestras, including San Francisco and his hometown St. Louis Symphony. Please visit my music page on Facebook and www.JohnMcDaniel.com
Jeff Calhoun
Direction & Musical Staging
Broadway: Disney's Newsies (Director: March 2012) Grey Gardens (Musical Staging), Deaf West's Big River (Director/Choreographer: 2004 Tony Award Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre), Brooklyn (Producer/Director/Choreographer), Annie Get Your Gun (Co-Choreographer with Graciela Daniele: 1999 Tony Award, Best Revival), Grease! (Director/Choreographer: 1994 Tony Nomination, Best Choreography), Tommy Tune Tonite! (Directing Debut), The Will Rogers Follies (Associate Choreographer). West End/International: Disney's High School Musical 1 & 2: On Stage! (Director). Regional/National Tour: Disney's Newsies (Director: World Premiere) Paper Mill Playhouse, Jane Austen's Emma: A Musical Romantic Comedy (Director/Choreographer) The Old Globe, Bonnie & Clyde (Director/Choreographer: 2009 San Diego Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Musical and Outstanding Director of a Musical) Asolo Rep Theatre and La Jolla Playhouse, Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 the musical (Director/Choreographer) 1st National Tour, Deaf West's Pippin (Director/Choreographer) Mark Taper Forum, Disney's High School Musical: On Tour! (Director) Disney Theatricals, The Civil War (Director) Ford's Theatre. Jeff is an Associate Artist at Ford's Theatre.
Frank Wildhorn
Composer
Multi-Grammy and Tony Award nominated composer/producer Frank Wildhorn's works span the worlds of popular, theatrical, and classical music. In 1999, Frank became the first American composer in 22 years to have three shows running simultaneously on Broadway: Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Civil War. Also for Broadway: Dracula and Victor/Victoria. Frank produced Harlem Song the famed Apollo Theatre. International: Cyrano, The Count of Monte Cristo, Carmen, Rudolf, Mitsuko, Never Say Goodbye, Camille Claudel, and Tears of Heaven. He currently has his own label deal (Soul Bear Records) with Sony Masterworks. International recording partnership, MWB (Music Without Borders), with MG-Sound/Vienna. Frank served as music director for the Goodwill Games in New York City (1998). He wrote the song “Gold”, the opening number for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Received the prestigious Charles Dickens Award from USC, where there is a scholarship under his name. Among the artists who have recorded and performed Frank’s works: Whitney Houston (#1 international hit “Where Do Broken Hearts Go?”), Natalie Cole, Kenny Rogers, Sammy Davis, Jr., Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews, Hootie & the Blowfish, The Moody Blues, Johnny Mathis, Linda Eder, Freddie Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, Stacy Lattisaw, Molly Hatchet, Blues Traveler, Trace Adkins, Patti LaBelle, Jeffrey Osborne, BeBe Winans, Amy Grant, Anthony Warlow, to name a few. Associate artist at the Alley Theatre in Houston. Upcoming: Havana. Father to Justin Samuel and Jake Ryan.
Don Black
Lyrics
Don Black OBE is a highly-acclaimed, Oscar-winning lyricist. His works have included movie themes, hit songs, and numerous musicals, including three with Andrew Lloyd Webber: Tell Me on a Sunday, Aspects of Love, and Sunset Boulevard, for which he received two Tony Awards for Best Book and Lyrics, together with Christopher Hampton. Mr. Black’s movie credits include themes for many James Bond films: Thunderball, Diamonds Are Forever, The Man with the Golden Gun, “Surrender” from Tomorrow Never Dies and The World is Not Enough. In collaboration with composer John Barry, he wrote the title song for the 1966 film Born Free, which won the Oscar for Best Song. He also collaborated with Barry on Out of Africa and Dances With Wolves. He has worked with Jule Styne, Henry Mancini, Quincy Jones, Elmer Bernstein, Michael Legrand, Marvin Hamlisch, Charles Aznavour and has had two U.S. number one hits: Michael Jackson’s “Ben” and Lulu’s “To Sir, With Love”. He was recently inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
NEWS
BONNIE & CLYDE CLOSES DECEMBER 30, 2011
New Broadway musical BONNIE & CLYDE will play its final performance at the Gerald Shoenfeld Theatre tonight at 8:00 PM. The production played its first preview on November 4, and officially opened December 1.
BONNIE & CLYDE SET TO RECORD A CAST ALBUM
Producers of the new musical BONNIE & CLYDE are happy to announce that the cast wil...
BONNIE & CLYDE TO CLOSE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2011
Producers of BONNIE & CLYDE, currently playing at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street), have announced that the show will play its final performance on Friday, December 30th at 8:00pm.
KATHIE LEE RAVES ABOUT BONNIE & CLYDE ON THE TODAY SHOW (VIDEO)
Kathie Lee Raves About BONNIE & CLYDE on the Today Show. "Among the enthusiastic comments was how impressed she was with the fashion accessories. She zeroed in on the ring flashed about in the first scene, and described it as "sterling silver with cubic zirconia accents." Wow. But on second thought, how can anyone in the audience make out that kind of detail on a ring worn on stage? And if it was cubic zirconia, isn't that an anachronism? Pretty sure cz was only available starting in 1976."
HOW THE BONNIE & CLYDE COLLABORATORS TOOK AIM AT A LEGENDARY STORY (PLAYBILL)
Learn how the creators of the musical Bonnie & Clyde took aim to strip away the glitz and glam picture Hollywood painted about the dastardly duo, and reveal something deeper.
BONNIE & CLYDE: FAN REVIEWS (AUDIO)
Hear what fans say about Broadway’s Most Wanted Musical, BONNIE & CLYDE.
BONNIE & CLYDE OPENS ON BROADWAY TONIGHT!
The new musical BONNIE & CLYDE opens on Broadway at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre tonight.
BONNIE & CLYDE, currently in previews at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street), officially opens this Thursday, December 1. The show stars LAURA OSNES (2011 Drama Desk nominee, Anything Goes) as Bonnie Parker a...
MEET THE OTHER MEN OF BONNIE & CLYDE!
Last time I introduced you to the beautiful ladies of Bonnie and Clyde, and now, meet the sexy men who round out the cast! The men in the show portray all real men in history who were friends, family members or officers who helpe...
LAURA OSNES (Grease, Anything Goes) and JEREMY JORDAN (Newsies, West Side Story) star as the 20th century’s most infamous duo, as the daring story of love and crime that captured the imagination of a country takes aim at a ...
MEET THE OTHER LADIES OF BONNIE & CLYDE!<
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow had a wild ride indeed but the other colorful characters around them, whose lives were affected by their criminal behavior, were also quite fascinating.
WHICH FAMOUS COUPLE IS YOUR FAVORITE? (POLL)
Couples in love have set the stage for many legendary stories. As we near the opening of 'Bonnie & Clyde' on Broadway, tell us which famous couple is your favorite!
BONNIE & CLYDE BREAKING THE VAULT CONTEST FINAL DAYS
The deadline for the Grand Prize round of the Breaking the Vault Contest is this coming Thursday.
BONNIE & CLYDE STARS JEREMY JORDAN AND LAURA OSNES ON THE COVER OF TIME OUT NY..
Jeremy Jordan and Laura Osnes, the stars of BONNIE & CLYDE, which started Broadway performances on November 4, are on the cover of this week’s Time Out: New York magazine.
GRAND PRIZE ROUND: BONNIE & CLYDE - "BREAKING THE VAULT" (CONTEST)
Help Clyde find the 6-part combination for the vault and you could win the ultimate loot!
BONNIE & CLYDE STARTS PERFORMANCES ON BROADWAY TONIGHT
Friday, November 4, 2011 (NEW YORK, NY) - The new musical BONNIE & CLYDE starts previews at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre tonight. The show stars LAURA OSNES (2011 Drama Desk nominee, Anything Goes) as Bonnie Parker and JEREM...
BONNIE & CLYDE: THE ROUNDUP
In only four short years together, this legendary American duo left an unforgettable mark that still remains in our culture today. As we move closer to the opening of Broadway’s new musical about the infamous duo, here&rsqu...
BONNIE & CLYDE: THE ROAD TO BROADWAY (TECH WEEK) - LESLIE BECKER
There’s nothing more exciting on the road to Broadway then when the show moves from the rehearsal hall to the theatre. After nearly three weeks at the 42nd Street Studios, Bonnie and Clyde has finally made its way to the Sc...
EXCLUSIVE BONNIE & CLYDE MUSIC PREVIEW - "GOD'S ARMS ARE ALWAYS OPEN"
Listen to an exclusive track from the upcoming new Broadway musical BONNIE & CLYDE - "God's Arms Are Always Open."
NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL BONNIE & CLYDE ANNOUNCES
Friday, October 21, 2011 (NEW YORK, NY) – Presented by Broadway’s Best Shows, the BONNIE & CLYDE “Breaking the Vault” Contest has announced a partnership with the Hilton Garden Inn New York/West 35th S...
PRESS RELEASE
Aw, Shoot! Broadway's Bonnie & Clyde Sets Closing Date
IMAGE: car-night.jpg
NEWS By Broadway.com Staff December 16, 2011
The jig is up for Bonnie & Clyde: The musical will end its Broadway run on December 30 at the Schoenfeld Theatre. Starring Laura Osnes and Jeremy Jordan as the infamous bank robbers, Bonnie & Clyde opened on December 1 and will have played 33 previews and 36 regular performances at the time of closing.
Directed and choreographed by Jeff Calhoun, Bonnie & Clyde features music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Don Black and a book by Ivan Menchell. The musical, set in Depression-era Texas, tells the love story of two kids who fall head over heels and embark on a crime spree.
In addition to Osnes and Jordan, Bonnie & Clyde stars Claybourne Elder, Melissa Van Der Schyff, Louis Hobson and Joe Hart.
The Musical Legacy of Bonnie & Clyde
The 2011 musical Bonnie & Clyde captivated audiences with its unique blend of historical drama and contemporary musical theater, presenting the lives of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow through an evocative score and poignant storytelling. While the show’s Broadway run was brief, its artistic ambition, exceptional performances, and enduring themes have left a lasting mark on the theatrical world.
Historical Context and Creation
Bonnie & Clyde centers on the real-life criminal exploits of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, whose crime spree across Depression-era America has been immortalized in popular culture. The show attempts to humanize these infamous figures, delving into their humble beginnings, intense romance, and ultimate downfall.
The musical was written by Tony-nominated composer Frank Wildhorn, with lyrics by Don Black and a book by Ivan Menchell. Wildhorn, known for his dramatic scores in Jekyll & Hyde and The Scarlet Pimpernel, brought his signature fusion of rock, blues, and gospel to the production. Black, an Oscar-winning lyricist, and Menchell, an Emmy nominee, crafted a narrative that balanced historical accuracy with the emotional depth needed for the stage.
The production first premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse in California in 2009, followed by a run at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, Florida, in 2010. These regional runs allowed the creators to refine the show’s structure, tone, and music before making its Broadway debut in late 2011.
The Broadway Experience
The Broadway production of Bonnie & Clyde opened on December 1, 2011, at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, starring Laura Osnes as Bonnie Parker and Jeremy Jordan as Clyde Barrow. Both actors brought significant credentials to the show. Osnes, previously known for her roles in South Pacific and Anything Goes, earned acclaim for her luminous voice and emotional depth. Jordan, who had gained recognition in West Side Story, delivered a charismatic and fiery performance as Clyde.
Despite the strong cast and innovative score, Bonnie & Clyde faced challenges on Broadway. The production played 33 previews and 36 regular performances, closing on December 30, 2011. Its brief run was partly due to mixed critical reception and a crowded season that included many high-profile musicals vying for audience attention.
Reviews and Critical Reception
Critics had divided opinions about Bonnie & Clyde. On one hand, the performances of Osnes and Jordan were widely praised. Critics noted their electrifying chemistry and ability to convey the nuances of their characters. Laura Osnes’ portrayal of Bonnie Parker was particularly lauded for capturing both the vulnerability and ambition of a woman caught up in a whirlwind romance and a criminal lifestyle. Jeremy Jordan was equally compelling, with many highlighting his raw energy and vocal prowess.
However, some critics felt the musical struggled to balance its dark subject matter with its theatrical flair. For example, The New York Times described the show as having moments of brilliance but noted that it lacked the sustained intensity needed to fully captivate audiences. Other outlets criticized its uneven tone, oscillating between romantic drama and gritty crime narrative.
While the production received mixed reviews overall, its bold artistic choices and memorable performances resonated with a passionate subset of theatergoers.
The Music: A Unique Blend of Genres
One of the standout aspects of Bonnie & Clyde was its music. Frank Wildhorn’s score seamlessly combined elements of blues, gospel, rockabilly, and traditional Broadway styles. Songs such as “Raise a Little Hell,” “Dyin’ Ain’t So Bad,” and “You Love Who You Love” stood out for their emotional depth and infectious melodies. The music effectively transported audiences to Depression-era America while offering a contemporary resonance.
The cast recording, released in 2012, has become a favorite among musical theater enthusiasts, keeping the spirit of the show alive. Tracks like “How ‘Bout a Dance” and “Too Late to Turn Back Now” showcase the vocal talents of Osnes and Jordan, further solidifying the musical’s cult status.
Box Office Performance and Challenges
Bonnie & Clyde struggled to find its footing in the competitive Broadway landscape. Opening during a season crowded with major productions, the show faced stiff competition for audiences and critical acclaim. While it managed to draw a loyal following, it was unable to generate the ticket sales needed for a sustainable run.
The show’s closure after less than two months was a disappointment for the creative team and cast, who had poured significant effort into bringing the story to life. However, its subsequent popularity through cast recordings and regional productions has demonstrated that its impact extended far beyond its Broadway box office numbers.
Cast and Creative Team
The Broadway cast of Bonnie & Clyde featured several standout performers beyond Osnes and Jordan. Melissa van der Schyff portrayed Blanche Barrow, Clyde’s sister-in-law, with a heartbreaking blend of humor and tragedy. Claybourne Elder played Buck Barrow, Clyde’s brother, bringing warmth and depth to the role.
The creative team was led by director and choreographer Jeff Calhoun, whose vision sought to highlight both the romance and the violence inherent in the story. His staging brought a cinematic quality to the production, using evocative lighting and projections to create a sense of movement and urgency.
Cultural Significance
The story of Bonnie and Clyde has long been romanticized in American culture, symbolizing rebellion, love, and desperation in the face of societal constraints. The musical tapped into these themes, offering a fresh perspective on a familiar narrative. By humanizing its protagonists, the production challenged audiences to consider the socio-economic conditions that drove them to crime, as well as the media’s role in mythologizing their exploits.
In a broader sense, Bonnie & Clyde reflects the enduring fascination with antiheroes in American storytelling. The musical’s exploration of moral ambiguity, ambition, and love resonates with audiences across generations.
Post-Broadway Legacy
Although its Broadway run was short-lived, Bonnie & Clyde has enjoyed a vibrant life beyond New York. The cast recording introduced the musical to a global audience, helping it gain a cult following. Regional and international productions have brought the story to new audiences, with notable performances in Japan, Korea, and the United Kingdom.
The West End revival in London, featuring a new cast, further cemented the musical’s reputation. These productions often highlight different aspects of the story, demonstrating its adaptability and timeless appeal.
Bonnie & Clyde may not have been a commercial success during its initial Broadway run, but its legacy endures through its music, performances, and continued productions around the world. The musical captures the essence of its titular characters, offering audiences a poignant exploration of love, ambition, and the darker side of the American Dream.
Through its bold artistic choices and unforgettable score, Bonnie & Clyde remains a testament to the power of musical theater to reimagine history and evoke deep emotional responses.
