Certain iconic landmarks are often viewed but may not be seen. While people might know the story behind the Statute of Liberty or wax poetically about a romantic moment stolen at the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge feels more utilitarian in its purpose. In the new musical, Brooklyn’s Bridge, an engineering marvel from the past is built on the determination of a woman who was ahead of her time.
Every day, people walk past architectural marvels or numerous innovations and never give the person who created them a second thought. Who runs the dishwasher and thanks Josephine Kwolek for the insight to use water pressure to clean kitchen essentials?
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of those architectural spaces that people use time after time and probably just complain that the traffic is not moving as quickly as they wish. Connecting the Brooklyn and Manhattan boroughs, the suspension bridge is more than meets the eye. The story behind its construction highlights how one woman walked a path that allowed others to follow in the future.
Making its theatrical world premiere at Dr Phillips Center on February 21, Brooklyn’s Bridge tells the story of Emily Roebling, who drove the project forward after her husband fell ill. While it was highly unusual for a woman in the Victorian era to be as vocal about her intellect and her ability to see the project to completion.
While Brooklyn’s Bridge is beyond its workshop phase, the musical is a work in progress. The foundation and some core numbers have the ability to grow into something great. The key for this show to blossom into more is to focus on Emily Roebling and her-story.
Although jukebox musicals or stories based on well-known stories are an easy sell, original works resonate with an audience differently. With a book and lyrics by Ray Roderick and music composed by Joseph Baker, the audience is drawn to Emily, her quick wit, intelligence, and personality. While the big ballads have the audience gripped with her determination, the quiet, introspective moments resonate long after the theater lights go up.
Played by Laurel Hatfield, her portrayal of Emily is impressive. Her use of inflection is more than vocal control. It plays to the delicate balance that a woman in this era needed to have. Getting men to listen is far more difficult than solving mathematical equations to ensure a safe engineering marvel. From a quick turn of a phrase to elicit a laugh to holding a note that demands attention, Hatfield makes Emily her own.
Her skillful portrayal is vital to the success of Brooklyn’s Bridge. While the musical’s title references the engineering landmark, it is a woman’s “her-story.” Nothing would have happened if it was not for Emily's ability to keep everything together.
Overall, the small ensemble cast is a strong group and captures the tenacity of the men who helped raise a suspension bridge from the muddied waters to spanning the boroughs. While there is some poetic license to get audience to appreciate their struggles, the cast elicits the necessary empathy.
Since Brooklyn’s Bridge is a work in process, one number in the second act would be well-served to replace the opening song. Although it is unclear the song’s title, the Irish worker, who sings in Gaelic, and the various workers are the true foundation of the real accomplishment of this bridge. The show does not necessarily need to be a nod to Hamilton’s immigrant line, but it can be the underlying support to Emily’s ability to prove unsung heroes are the force behind building this bridge.
Even though the New York corruption of the time period is part of the bridge’s history, the Boss Tweed moments feel a little misdirected. Almost like a wrong turn to the final destination, this plot line needs more finesse.
Overall, Brooklyn’s Bridge has a story that deserves to be told. The world premiere at Dr. Phillips Center is hopefully just the first step towards an eventual opening on Broadway.
Brooklyn’s Bridge is playing the Alexis and Jim Pugh Theater at Dr. Phillips Center through March 6, 2025.