Review | Dead Outlaw
Having seen the Off Broadway production last year, I walked into the Broadway transfer of Dead Outlaw with high expectations, and it delivered exactly what I hoped for. The show has not lost its edge in the move uptown. In fact, it feels even more assured.
The story of Elmer McCurdy, the outlaw whose corpse traveled farther than he ever did alive, remains gripping and strange in all the right ways. Andrew Durand returns to the role of Elmer with a performance that is, quite literally, excited to death. He brings humor, tragedy, and a touch of charm to a man caught between his misguided ambitions and a legacy he never meant to create.
The band is onstage for the entire performance, an inspired choice that keeps the music and the energy fully integrated into the storytelling. Jeb Brown shines as both the bandleader and as Jarrett, the opportunist who takes McCurdy’s story and runs with it. Brown has a magnetic presence and a talent for turning exposition into momentum.
Eddie Cooper moves between characters effortlessly, offering both comic relief and sharp contrast across scenes. Julia Knitel is equally impressive in multiple roles. She is endlessly endearing and provides a sense of grounding whenever she appears. Her performances bring emotional clarity to a show full of chaos and oddity.
The music is phenomenal. A rich mix of folk, rock, and bluegrass, the score drives the story with urgency and soul. Every number feels purposeful, with lyrics that cut deep and melodies that linger. The harmonies soar, and the arrangements keep the audience completely locked in.
Dead Outlaw walks a fine line between dark humor and poignant storytelling, and it does so with confidence and style. It is fast, it is clever, and it knows exactly what it wants to say.
If you missed it downtown, do not make that mistake again. This is one of the most original and satisfying musicals currently on Broadway.
