East Carson Street’ musical makes a moving story out of Joe Grushecky’s songs

written by JAY LUSTIG May 9, 2024

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I have seen many concerts by Joe Grushecky, with and without his band The Houserockers, over the past few decades. And I’ve never once had the thought, “Gee, these songs would work really well in a stage musical.”

But Jonathan Rosenberg did. And “East Carson Street” — featuring Grushecky’s songs, Rosenberg’s book and direction by Daniel Kutner — proves that this was a stroke of genius. Grushecky’s gritty songwriting, combined with a truly affecting story that Rosenberg has created to link them all, and passionate singing by 12 actors — nearly everyone gets at least one moment to shine — makes for a moving and memorable theatrical experience in the musical’s current premiere at the sparkling new Bell Theater at Bell Works in Holmdel

That said, the musical does not seem fully fleshed out, in some ways. At the show I saw (May 5), some actors held their scripts in their hands and referred to them occasionally, because — as Bell Theater executive artistic director Andrew DePrisco explained in a short welcoming talk — changes were still being made, daily. At times, the production felt more like a concert than a musical, as the actors often delivered their songs while standing at a microphone stand on a small, circular stage in the middle of the minimally decorated set.

Still, the characters were real enough for us to feel a connection with them, and for there to be a big emotional payoff by the time we get to the end of the story. Grushecky’s songs “East Carson Street” and “Fingerprints” anchor the first act with their deep sense of atmosphere and yearning, and his “This Is Someday” emerges as the second act’s heart-tugging showstopper. There always has been a lot of variety in his songwriting, and everything from the wistful, mysterious “When the Crows Go Crazy” to the rowdy “Blood, Sweat and Beers” and the rousing, inspirational “I Will Not Let My Spirit Fall” find a useful place here.

The story is set in Pittsburgh, and features many references to Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh sports teams, and the hard times of the city’s working class. The action takes place from 1980 to the present. “This town’s been dying since the day I was born/Shops all boarded up and houses lying in ruin,” sings the central character, Jimmy (played by Constantine Maroulis), in the opening scene.

At this point in the story, Jimmy, an amiable everyman, has just been laid off, and his father George (Alex Paez) is ailing. Single, he spends his time hanging out at a bar with his somewhat oafish buddies Tank (Matt Wolpe) and Rick (Izzy Figueroa). But then he starts dating Julie (Bre Cade) and falls head over heels in love with her. She’s not so sure, though, that’s she’s ready to settle down. She becomes pregnant with Jimmy’s child, but soon leaves town, with no way for Jimmy to find her.

He’s distraught, but eventually gets over her with the help of Tank’s sister Angie (Teal Wicks). She is as strong-willed as Julie, but without the wanderlust; everything works out, and they marry. Both are working steadily, and they start a family together, with Julie and her child with Jimmy nowhere in sight. There is a strike at the supermarket where Jimmy works; he considers becoming a scab, but decides against it. (Rosenberg’s book covers a long period of time, so sometimes it does feel like we’re rushing through milestones of Jimmy’s life rather than really lingering on anything.)

The second acts jumps to Jimmy and Angie as middle-aged, secure adults, with grown children; Grushecky’s humorous “I Still Look Good for 60” comes in handy to mark the passing of time. While the first act was mainly about Jimmy getting his life together, the second act centers on the repercussions of the stubborn drug addiction that his son Dave (also played by Paez), an Iraq War veteran, suffers through. (Paez is fiercely good in this role, just as he was as George in Act One.) Jimmy and Angie’s marriage goes through a period of crisis; resolution comes in a surprising but satisfying way.

Despite the Pittsburgh setting, it does make a certain sort of sense for the musical to debut in New Jersey. Grushecky is strongly connected to the Garden State music scene, through his participation in the annual Light of Day festival, his collaborations with Bruce Springsteen (who co-wrote two of the songs in the musical, “Code of Silence” and “Cheap Motel”), and more. Reagan Richards of the Jersey-based duo Williams Honor is a cast member, playing the bartender Sherry, and her Williams Honor partner Gordon Brown plays guitar in the show’s six-piece band. And Joe Bellia of The Weeklings plays drums. Adding to the concert feel of the production, the musicians are directly behind the actors and clearly visible throughout the show.

Grushecky released his first album in 1979 — approximately the same time that the action of “East Carson Street” starts. And he’s still a hard-working rock ‘n’ roller, with a new studio album, Can’t Outrun a Memory, due out on July 12, and a show with The Houserockers at The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park on July 20. He will also release a two-CD, career-spanning anthology, Houserocker: A Joe Grushecky Anthology, on May 24, with the original versions of some, but far from all, of the “East Carson Street” songs included.

Grushecky has been perennially underappreciated, throughout his career. Maybe it is time for that to change, so the man who wrote the hopeful “This Is Someday” can finally have a someday of his own.

New Bell Theater Opens with ‘East Carson Street’

Posted on May 10, 2024 by Karen Nowosad

newjerseystage.com

New Jersey has a new professional theater that is now open and active. The Bell Theater is located in Holmdel’s Bell Works complex. it is a part of the Axelrod Performing Arts Center.

The first performance at the Bell Theater was on May 3 when East Carson Street premiered. An enthusiastic crowd filled the seats in this beautiful new venue. Axelrod’s Artistic Director, Andrew DePrisco, welcome everyone and proceeded to say that the production only had about 11 days to rehearse. He said that a few people might have scripts in their hands since this was still a work in progress. And some did but there appeared to be no glitches in the evening’s performance. All went off very well.

East Carson Street is an exciting new rock musical. It features music and lyrics by Joe Grushecky, This iconic musician is well known for his work with the Iron City Houserockers and his collaborations with Bruce Springsteen. In fact, a few of the songs in the musical were co-written with Springsteen. A superb cast sings 20 songs led by the strong vocals of Broadway veterans Constantine Maroulis and Teal Wicks.

The book for this show is by Jonathan Rosenberg and Direction is by Daniel Kutner. Music Director is Charles Santoro and Choreography is by Michele Mossay.

The show is presented in a modified workshop / concert style. However, it has a good, functional set and enough elements of a fully produced musical to give you a chance to see a new production that has a lot of promise.

Background

According to press notes, Grushecky grew up in a coal mining town on the city’s outskirts and has seen Pittsburgh go through multiple transformations over the years.

“There were coal miners on both sides of my family,” Grushecky said. “My dad dropped out of school at 12 years old to work in the coal mines. It was hard work.”

In the 1970s, Grushecky lived just off East Carson Street and remembers when the gritty bars were packed with guys getting off their factory shifts. However, by the ‘90s, the area had transformed into a hub of live music and nightlife with Grushecky playing a major role in the city’s music scene.

Today in Pittsburgh, the mills, mines, and pollution are all but gone, replaced by parks, clean water, and thriving communities. The actual East Carson Street is now a national historic district, lined with popular bars, restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs.

This ability to change and transform is what the show is all about. It follows a family over a period of about 40 years as they deal with the loss of jobs and a way of life with which they were most familiar. The music guides us through this difficult journey and it brings us to a celebration of a new way of life in a most entertaining and pleasing manner.

A Story of Family and Friends

The story centers around Jimmy (Constantine Maroulis), a man in his twenties, who receives word that he is losing his job at the steel mill. He shows his father, Geroge (Alex Paez), the notice and tells him he is going to go get work in a mine for a short time. His father objects saying he was never planning to stay in the mines 30 years ago. He is hooked to an oxygen machine indicating lung disease.

Jimmy heads for his favorite watering hole, Junior’s, where he meets up with his friends Rick (Izzy Figueroa) and Tank (Matt Wolpe).

And it is here that he meets and hooks up with Julie (Bre Cade), a beautiful, but very young woman. She is employed at the local supermarket and remarks that she could get him work there. He takes her up on the offer.

The two become involved and Julie becomes pregnant with his child. She leaves town without a trace causing Jimmy to wonder for many years what happened to her.

To help pull Jimmy out of his sadness at losing Julie, Tank suggests he meet his sister, Angie (Teal Wicks). They meet and eventually marry and start a family. However, Act 1 ends on a sad note as George dies.

Act 2 – Many Events Occur

Act 2 brings the story years forward. Jimmy has gone back to school and earned a business degree. He worked his way up into management at the supermarket and now owns his own business.

What happens over the 30+ years shows many changes to all the characters. There are some sad moments, but also moments of hope.

Although I love telling a story, I will stop now. When you see the show, you will see all the pieces that fit into this act bringing the show to a satisfying ending.

The Music Tells the Stories

The music in East Carson Street provides a center focus for the show. The songs come from Grushecky’s musical catalog with 2 co-written with Bruce Springsteen.

A full band is right in view on stage and they do an outstanding job providing the music. The band is led by Conductor Charles Santoro who also plays piano. Gordon Brown, Mick Gaffney, and Burt Conrad play guitars. Joe Bellia is on drums with Frank Canino is on bass.

All of the songs are important to the show but there were a few that really stood out for me:

Grushecky’s 1980’s “We’re Not Dead Yet” provides a spirited beginning to the show already hinting at what is to come.

One of the most poignant moments is at the end of Act 1 when Junior (Tommy McDonnell III) and Jimmy sing “Down River.” This is a tribute to George, who has just passed away. Maroulis and McDonnell sing with emotion fitting to the sadness of the event.

The transition to Act 2 begins with “I Still Look Good (For 60) performed by Jimmy, Angie, Tiffany, Tank, and the Company. It’s a great way to update the time setting.

A stirring moment in Act 2 is when Angie sings “Rainy Day in Pittsburgh.” Wick’s vocals are very powerful on this song as she laments what is happening.

The show ends on a upbeat note with “I Will not let My Spirit Fall” and a final segment of “East Carson Street” performed by the entire company.

East Carson Street Needs to Continue On

The musical East Carson Street needs to continue on its journey and be seen by many people. The production and especially the music are very well done. It provides a most enjoyable visit to the theater. But it’s more than that.

East Carson Street serves as a type of historic document to educate and inspire The topics shown in this musical provide that look back at the past not only for Pittsburgh, but American workers as well. The changes in the steel industry created major rippling effects that affected thousands of people. They lost jobs that were not coming back. They had to look for a new way to make a living. The story told in East Carson Street gives an important look at the resiliency people need to have when faced with these kinds of tremendous changes. The ability to make those changes was needed in Pittsburgh to have it become the successful city it is today.

Most of all, it is a tribute to the people who were willing to make those changes. We need to celebrate these things. And we need to leave this as a record for both the current generation and those to come.