John Wilkes Booth walks onstage and croons, “Hey pal, feelin’ blue? Don’t know what to do? Hey pal, I mean you. Yeah. C’mere and kill a president.” That’s just the beginning, and it never lets up. The late, great Stephen Sondheim wrote this play with John Weidman, based on an idea by Charles Gilbert Jr., no doubt to channel their rage into something more legal and moral. The musical, both psychotic and charming, is a deep dive into every historical assassin who has attempted or succeeded at un-aliving a US president. The electrifying ensemble piece lends itself well to the creativity and vocal ranges of the 3Below Playhouse and is sure to be rousing. Runs through Aug. 4.
Thu, 7:30pm, $25-$65
3Below Theaters, San Jose