Andrew Jackson as an emo rock star? It totally works in "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson," a hilarious, ingenious rock musical about our nation's disturbed seventh president.
Writer-director Alex Timbers uses some fiction, but also explores some of the stranger parts of Jackson's biography. Did you know that he and his wife Rachel were cutters who engaged in erotic blood rituals? This bizzare fact blends surprisingly well with some of his more famous actions, such as creating the Democratic Party, more than doubling the size of the nation and signing the Indian Removal Act.
Benjamin Walker oozes charisma and sulky selfishness as the first "commoner" to become president. Backed by a three-piece band, he opens the show by asking the audience if we're ready.
"I'm gonna put it in you. Especially you," he adds, pointing to a female audience member. Walker makes you believe that Jackson did indeed have massive sex appeal.
Everything here is exaggerated, from the red that overwhelms the theater — lights, seats and curtains along the aisles all scream blood — to the dialogue. Jackson tells his wife (Maria Elena Ramirez), who is still married to another man, "Rachel, I love you, but I've also got to kill the entire native population."
A wheelchair-bound storyteller (Colleen Werthmann) spins the tale of Jackson's life — until she's shot off it. Hell, there's even a Spice Girls dance party.
But it all works wonderfully, on many levels: as a laugh-out-loud comedy, as a commentary on emo rock music and as a vivid illustration of how politics in general can be deeply fucked up. For example, it shows how the American public has arbitrary and illogically personal reasons for being attracted to candidates. Crowds hold up signs touting "Emocracy in America" and "Lemme Fill Jackson's Hole."
It also explores the absurdity of events such as the Corrupt Bargain in the 1824 presidential election, and winks to the future with a line warning against putting the power in Wall Street. Anachronistic clothing and technology add to the anarchic vibe.
The show has its own take on the Trail of Tears, which is smartly represented as only a small part of the disastrous turn of Jackson's presidency. And although it portrays Jackson as an unspeakable killer who single-handedly cleared Florida of Spaniards, earning the nickname "American Hitler" from some, the play doesn't completely condemn him. Rather, it asks us to consider whether America isn't also responsible.
And so the controversy of Jackson lives on; "Bloody," a hugely entertaining spectacle, digs into disturbing issues that are more relevant today than ever.
"Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" is playing at The Public Theater (425 Lafayette St.) through May 30. Tickets ($70-80) are available at tickets.publictheater.org and by calling 212.967.7555. Rush standby tickets ($20) will be sold 60 minutes before each performance at the Public Theater Box Office.
