It is no big secret that my favorite new musical of last season is The Lost Boys. I think my review of the show covers the many reasons why, including my admiration for the score by The Rescues. Now having listened to it a few times, my feelings for it have only deepened.
Cast Recording Review:
The Lost Boys
The Act Two Tracks
Tap HERE to check out our review of the Act One Tracks.
How does the score for Act Two hold up against the twists and turns of the plot? Does it add to or take away from the action packed finale? Let's see!
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Here are some thoughts on Tracks 15-28, which represent Act Two of the show, plus a Bonus Track of the song "Brother," which was cut during previews:
Track Fifteen: "My Brother is A..." - Sam Emerson, Alan and Edgar Frog and Ensemble
This, I think, is a great example of an effective Act Two opener - a lot of musicals botch this one - it is a catchy tune that gets you right back into listening mode, it reestablishes characters we haven't seen in awhile, and effectively sets up where the plot is headed. It is also quite funny, I mean three comic book nerds being deeply serious... all three actors (Benjamin Pajak, Miguel Gil and Jennifer Duka) do a great job of conveying their characters even though we can't see them.
Here is the song I was instantly smitten with. I could have happily sat through an immediate encore of it! Here we have a song that manages to straddle the line between show tune and mainstream hit, between sounding like it is from the 80s (power ballad duets were all the rage) and still has a contemporary sound. And can anyone beat Ms. Bean in the riffing department these days? I especially love how the song builds, both sonically and lyrically. Dissect the lyrics for a deeper dive into Lucy's state of mind, and Max's (and eerie and powerful Paul Alexander Nolan) subversive predatory nature. And who doesn't love the multiple meanings of the title?
Track Seventeen: "Belong to Someone (Reprise)" - The Lost Boys
Like the haunting strings chords that start the song, we are instantly drawn into the mind set of the vampires. As David manipulates/grooms a struggling Michael, the other Lost boys join in unison that suggests a brotherhood Michael feels he is missing. The shift from "I want to belong to someone..." to "now you belong to me..." is chilling. This blends into...
Track Eighteen: "You Belong to Me" - Father, The Lost Boys
... another song about belonging. It starts with the specter of Michael's abusive father (Ben Crawford) and blends into an ominous David telling Michael just where things stand. This is a chilling number with stunning backing vocals by the company - :Do you know who you are?", "Thou shall not...," etc. The ultimate "be careful what you wish for" song. Even just listening to it gives me goose flesh - perfect for the horror that is building here.
Track Nineteen: "War" - Star and Ensemble
What beautiful song! The piano, punctuated with electric guitar and sweeping strings build to an emotional crescendo of fear and resignation, and the effect is perfect for the moment. The real star of this number is Ms. Worries whose range is on full display here. (Maybe she could play Lucy in the revival?)
A callback to the opening number of the act, it sets up the progression from discovering the vampires to a plan of attack against the head of the coven. Short and sweet!
Track Twenty-one: "Lose Yourself (Reprise)" - Lucy Emerson, Michael Emerson and Star
The first climax before the final showdown, brings us an angry Lucy feeling betrayed by her own kids, and then revealing truths between a terrified (and smitten) Michael and Star. The way the music - especially the orchestrations - matches the tone of each beat of the scene is really masterful. And I love how the lyrics bring up the dichotomy of losing yourself and belonging to someone else, a key theme of the whole piece.
Track Twenty-two: "Michael" - Lucy Emerson
A quiet reprieve from the escalating terror and tension, here is a mother recognizing that she may not be able to save her son, and lamenting that their relationship has started to fall apart. Ms. Bean's soft, plaintive vocals only make me realize even more what a powerful vocalist she is. The piano and strings here are simple and lovely.
Track Twenty-three: "Superpower" - Sam Emerson and Ensemble
Here's another song that could go on even longer and I'd be thrilled. That said, it does a lot of heavy lifting, as Sam makes some important realizations through a vocabulary that is singular to his experience of hiding in his comics. He's in the real world now and draws upon those heroes for his strength and his true identity. The imagery is fun and poignant at once. And Mr. Pajak's charm comes right out of the recording and wraps itself around your heart. A queer anthem for today's generation of young theater lovers.
And now things get serious...
Track Twenty-four: "No More Monsters (Reprise)" - Sam Emerson, The Frog Brothers, Michael Emerson and Star
From the very opening of the show, only much more urgent and empowered. The family has strengthened and grown. I love how the same turns of phrase are repeated here, but with a much different meaning.
The first showdown, as Max tries to lure Lucy into his eternal grasp. She isn't having any of that. Great to hear Mr. Nolan get a chance to really let his voice go to the rafters albeit briefly. I am reminded here of a few moments of his "Gethsemane" in the Jesus Christ Superstar revival several years ago.
Track Twenty-six: "Home (Prelude)" - Lucy Emerson, Michael Emerson, Sam Emerson
Now that the danger has passed, Michael now appreciates what he's had all along, a true home with his mother and brother. They join together as the prelude becomes...
Track Twenty-seven: "If We Make It Through the Night" - The Company
... the soaring anthem that closes the show. A beautiful arrangement of vocals and music. One would have to be numb not to be moved by the sentiment, and if not by that than by the sheer power of this company singing in some over the tightest harmonies Broadway has seen in some time.
When we saw the show in late previews, this song was already gone from the show, and even most fans agree that cutting it was a good thing for the show, but a real bummer to lose. Well, the company started doing mini stage door concerts (a la Hamilton) and a video of them singing this went viral. How lucky we are that they added it as a bonus track for all posterity. I will leave it for you to enjoy, unfettered by my thoughts.
Grade: A+
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