by Lonnie the Theater Lady
Christopher St. Pierre’s creative adaptation of the script and his funny lyrics in “Speed: The Musical,” satirize the 1994 movie, “Speed”. The movie plot is closely followed and (in my opinion) enhanced with an original musical score rife with catchy melodies and comical lyrics. The entire cast harmonizes beautifully in several numbers.
The plot revolves around a disgruntled retired bomb squad police officer, Howard Payne (Eric Bernat), planning to exact revenge on some of his former coworkers whom he believes have wronged him. His diabolical scheme begins with him detonating a bomb in the elevator of a tall building. The inventive use of puppetry in this scene whimsically softens the horror of people being slaughtered. Payne continues his revenge tour by planting a bomb on the underside of a public bus in Los Angeles. The device will explode if the bus reaches a speed below fifty miles per hour. The job of preventing this explosion falls to police officers Jack Traven (Alexis Cromer) and Detective Harry Temple (Fred Brown) assisted by Lt. “Mac” McMahon (Tenly Schmida). When Sam, the bus driver (Will Weiner), is shot (in a scene that is very funny– due to a costuming decision), passenger Annie Porter (Aubrey Thompson) takes over driving the speeding bus. Hilarity ensues!
Cromer’s role is particularly physically demanding, and her energy never wanes. She pleases with her strong vocals. She and Thompson shine their sweet, touching “Meant for this World” duet.
Brown not only skillfully and amiably plays a detective, but he composed the music in the show, and he also directs this fast-paced extravaganza of constantly moving, cleverly designed, huge set pieces and props—picture a nearly life-sized front end of a bus.
Bernat’s portrayal of a madman delves deeply into his psyche, making him somewhat sympathetic- but not for long. He makes it easy to dislike and fear his evil character. The surreal musical number “The Whim of a Madman,” performed by Bernat and several other cast members, is simultaneously chilling and funny.
Thompson, the ingenue tasked with driving the bus, personifies Annie’s sweet innocence wrapped in toughness and grit.
Schmida’s Mac flies off and on the stage IN and AS a helicopter. Brilliant, hilarious prop/costume work! And, when she rescues passengers from the bus— beyond hilarious.
Nick Stocks has some wonderful musical moments as he sings the witty, poignant number, “The Life of a Bus.”
Without exception, everybody in the large cast throws themself into their roles with wild abandon. Every role demands great physicality, and this cast delivers it!
The band is effective in creating different moods, ranging from suspenseful to uplifting and joyous. The talented musicians never overplay the vocalists. That is notably difficult to do in a small venue. Well done.
The realistic sound effects, well-designed lighting and simple but effective special effects are noteworthy for their contributions to the overall action and setting various moods.
This campiest (is that a word?) of all campy shows is a delicious mix of Monty Python, Laugh In, and Saturday Night Live with a twist of Lucille Ball as a garnish. It’s delightfully, smartly silly, but it never stoops to goofy. I hope this show is produced again. Its rapid-fire introduction of many unexpected humorous elements makes it one that can be enjoyed multiple times.
I believe “Speed: The Musical” has all the makings of an enduring cult classic. That’s a cult I’d love to join!
LtTL
“Speed :The Musical” a DYI production completed its run at the Glitter box Theater on March 30, 2025.
