Getting ready to write this review I can’t help imagining Tom Wilson Weinberg, sitting down to write Sixty Years with Bruhs and Gean. As I sit at my computer to compose this review about this extremely clever musical, I want to be as happy as he seems when he’s playing piano on stage. He looks on at his actors/actress like they are his own blood performing his work. His lyrics thoughtful and sometimes heavy, his direction key to very jaunty and dancing numbers while his piano playing rolls off his fingers like gold bullion.

Justin Damm as Bruhs Mero is enchanting. A once straight man with a fiancé having a long lasting and loving relationship with Gean Harwood played by Keith Kaczorowski. Their chemistry together on stage pays a hefty homage to Bruhs and Gean.

With many rolls Melissa Kolczynski has loads of work to do in this musical. She nails every moment the audience peers upon her and when she leaves you’re left wondering when she’ll back on stage. Each act of this musical displayed a different decade of Bruhs and Gean’s life. With a rich history of gayness, their story is celebrated appropriately, but deserves a larger venue.

The only bad thing I could possibly say is that the actor’s shoes could use a shine. Besides that I’d easily see this play again and now know why people buy musical soundtracks.

Review of the Sneak Preview:

Tucked away at Tavern on Camac on Thursday, October 18th I saw a glimpse into, Tom Wilson Weinberg’s show Sixty Years with Bruhs and Gean. Justin Damm , Keith Kaczorowski and Melissa Kolczynski were all there chiming out tunes from the musical. If you’re worthy of your title as homosexual you know who Bruhs & Gean are and if you’re not familiar with these names go buy tickets to learn about a segment of GLBT history. The show opens October 23rd and runs until October 28th.

The tiny piano bar came alive with Weinberg’s music and the words the cast so proudly belted out it seemed as if their eyes were singing.

The preview was fabulously “unplugged,” I can’t wait to see what the full on production will be complete with costumes and dance steps.

Bruhs and Gean are historic figures; it’s your duty to see this musical.

View PhillyGayCalendar’s exclusive behind the scenes of Bruhs and Gean