Theatre Review: “Lonesome Traveler” is Really Moving

“Lonesome Traveler,”  at the 59 E 59 Theater A  is a remarkable show in its scope of folk music. Amazing performers, great historical clips, and stories, (oh the stories of folk music!) resonate throughout the performance.

Meanwhile the performers deliver big time: singing folk songs, that honor some of the greatest singers the country has known.

The show is in chronological order from the (1920’s-1960’s) with a “trick” here or there, for example, introducing the great Judy Collins a bit early, with a “reminder” she would see Pete Seeger at the Newport Festival in 1963. A really nice touch.

In addition to Seeger and Collins, so many other greats are represented with their music as the incredible 9 person team (9 evokes baseball and this is a great team) perform songs by such legendary performers as Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly and “Peter Paul and Mary.”

It allows your mind to race with thoughts, memories and inspiration as “This Land Is Your Land,” “Good Night Irene,” “Puff the Magic Dragon” and many others are brought to life, in the two hour plus journey into folk music and some major U.S. history.

“Lonesome Traveler” was written and directed by James O’Neil. Original Musical Direction and Musical Arrangements by Dan Wheetman. Musical Direction by Trevor Wheetman. Orchestrations by George Grove of The Kingston Trio.

The “folk nine” are Matty Charles, Justin Flagg, Sylvie Davidson, Jamie Drake, Anthony Manough, Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper, Jennifer Leigh Warren, Trevor Wheetman, and Sam Gelfer.

This is a great show in a limited run through April 19th. I highly recommend seeing the performance. For more info, click here.