The wrong man meets the wrong woman in the wrong place at the wrong time. Set in Reno, Nevada, “The Wrong Man” is the story of Duran, a man just scraping by who is framed for a murder he didn’t commit, told through poetic lyrics and haunting melodies.
Duran (Joshua Henry) has always felt unlucky in life until he meets Mariana (Ciara Renée) in a bar one night and falls in love. When she tells Duran she’s pregnant, he begs her to leave Reno with him. As her past catches up with her, she ultimately reveals that she is the wife of a dangerous man who has been in jail. When Mariana’s husband finds out about Duran, he sets out to make him pay. Duran is framed for murder as the husband catches him near an alley, points the gun at him and shoots someone else. He throws the gun at Duran then yells out for help, stating that Duran is trying to kill him. As he runs off, a witness spots Duran with the gun leaving the scene of the crime.
Scared knowing he has to get to Mariana’s before her husband does, when he arrives it’s too late. He discovers her dead body and now leaves the scene of another crime. On the run, wanted for a double murder, he thinks about his life and all the pain he has gone through as he hides in a motel room. After being estranged from his family, being left by his ex-girl girlfriend, he is now wanted for murder. As the police close in on him, he is arrested and asked to confess to the murders. As a witness points him out in a lineup, he counts down the days to his execution for a crime he didn’t commit while Mariana’s husband is off enjoying his life as a killer.
This musical is definitely one you should see, the story stays relevant to issues we are dealing with today with a broken justice system and black men jailed and executed for crimes they didn’t commit. The cast was absolutely amazing! I want to point out a few that really lit up the stage like Joshua Henry. I loved what he did with the role, he brought such commitment and passion to the character and his vocals were strong throughout the play. The ensemble did a great job and there was so much intricate dance choreography that made the performance come alive. I want to point out that Tilly Evans-Krueger kept my eyes glued to her every time she made a move. What a great talent and such an incredible performance.
“The Wrong Man” recently played at The Newman Mills Theater in New York
