I can pretty much bet that when you hear someone talking about cigarettes and smoking, the first thing you think of is not necessarily rock music and humor. Yet, these are the very things that the world premiere of the new musical The Last Smoker in America offers.
The idea behind the musical is simple enough—what would the world be like if one day smoking was illegal in all of America? The story follows Pam, a suburban American mother who’s having trouble kicking her smoking habit; Ernie, Pam’s husband and recovered smoker with a passion for rock-and-roll; their neighbor, Phyllis, an anti-smoking activist who is almost painfully devoted to her religion; and Jimmy, the teenage son of Pam and Ernie who loves video games, rap music, and is convinced he’s actually black. As 90-minute show progresses, we see the laws become stricter, the punishments harsher, and the anti-smokers technology more advanced. Through all this, though, the biggest issue is whether or not Pam’s illegal habit will tear her family apart.
The Last Smoker in America boasts a cast that’s small in size but not in spirit. Although there are only four actors in the show, it’s really just enough—I cannot imagine this show working quite as well with any more people. America’s last smoker, Pam, is played by Katy Blake, who is able to make her character’s internal struggle palpable. John Bolton plays Ernie and is incredibly impressive with his rocker voice, which gets demonstrated quite frequently throughout the show. Natalie Venetia Belcon shines as Phyllis—her comedic timing is spot-on and her vocal range is absolutely amazing. Last, but most certainly not least, Jimmy is played by Teddy Toye, a boy who seems to have no reservations at all while on stage—he has an insane amount of energy and jumps around (and off of) the set more than any of his co-stars.
The show itself is simply hilarious. The jokes never stop and the moments of audience participation are played out perfectly. The songs are catchy and fun, ranging from gospel to rock to rap and everything in between. The cast is able to transition in entertaining chorus roles in the blink of an eye. Through all of this, though, the show deals with a serious health issue with poise and the darker underside is given opportunities to peek through during the course of the show.
This is a show you won’t want to miss. Catch it soon, though, because it is only here in Columbus through October 24 before it heads to New York!
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