SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL
Her boys ranged from Kyle Oliver’s sensitive Tom, an idealist with a criminal past transformed into union organizer; John Brancy’s engaging, fun-loving Al; and the slow-witted Noah of Christian Pursell. All three of these singing actors had firm, resonant voices and winning stage personas, but Pursell was given the meatiest scene to display his talents. A simpleton, who pretty much went with the flow, Pursell’s Noah slowly became aware that the only way he could help his family was to spare them one more mouth to feed. With a bass-baritone as commanding as his stature, Noah’s decision to commit suicide by drowning was as moving as it was horrible to watch.
RICK PERDIAN