Venice: The Musical is a story of love and revolution based in a post-war, fictitious, city in the not-so-distant future. A tale of literal “war-torn lovers,” is told through perfectly blended rock, hip-pop and spoken word. From the moment the characters walk on stage they provide an exhilarating auditory experience.
The cast of Venice provide something beyond spectacular vocal and acting performances, they re-create the frustration felt by the people (or in current times, the 99 percent). “Freedom and peace are not the same thing,” a line that allowed attendees to leave with more than a playbill but also an opportunity to spark dialogue.
Venice (Haaz Sleiman), who is named after the city, is the child of murdered revolutionary, has been in love with the same girl is whole life, Willow (Jennifer Damiano) who was the daughter of the former president, and they find themselves reunited after nearly two decades. It is their reunification that symbolizes peace between what ultimately is the “haves” and the have-nots.”
Markos (Leslie Odom Jr.), plays off the love and trust of those around him to carry out his plot, even his own wife. Markos is the right-hand to Theodore Westbrook, played by Jonathan-David (who is the head of Westbrook Enterprises, the company that controls the city) and is also the half-brother of Venice. For Markos, blood and water are one in the same, simply hurdles on his way to the top.
On the surface it may seem as though Venice is another classic love story; delve a little deeper and you’ll realize that it is a “bull-horn” reminder: There can be no freedom in corporatocracy and no peace in complacency.
Venice is an experience worth having, as the main cast and ensemble are clearly serious about their craft and gave 110 percent.
Visit tickets.publictheater.org/ for scheduling, information and purchasing
