Millions
Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia, May 23, 2025
Reviewed by Jacqueline Parker
Two young boys (who’ve lost their mother), a new house, and a confusing time for all. These are the elements of the new musical Millions that’s based on a novel and a screenplay by Frank Cottrell Boyce. In it Tony Award winner Adam Guettel has delivered another gorgeous score, and award-winning writer Bob Martin has brought the book up to date by moving the story to present-day Albuquerque.
The younger boy, Damian (Keenan Barrett), finds refuge in his obsession with saints, who appear to him, converse with him, and bring him the kind of comfort that he can’t find elsewhere. He rattles off their dates as readily as most young boys might recite sports statistics, and he prays for the money his family now needs to pay off the medical bills from his late mother’s illness. He has built a replica of his former home, which the family had to leave, and when he returns to that home he finds a sack of money!
For Damian, there is no other reasonable explanation other than that it dropped out of the sky in answer to his prayers. He shares this secret with his older, more practical brother Anthony (Yair Keydar) and no one else. Meanwhile, their father, superbly played by Steven Pasquale, struggle with being a single dad and with holding down gainful employment while he settles into a new home and community. He eventually meets Dorothy, a charity worker from the local school, who is brought to life vividly by Ruthie Ann Miles. Dorothy has been asking the children for small donations for her charity, and Damian, guided by advice from his saints, donates a large sum, arousing the suspicion that brings the two of them together.
It seems clear to everyone but Damian that the money was not Heaven-sent; rather, it was destined for destruction but was thrown from a train by a thief who hoped to retrieve it in due course. That thief was played by Shuler Hensley, who was frightening indeed as the thief who attempts to recover what he believes is rightfully his.
It would be unfair to give away the ending of this touching piece. Suffice it to say that while it is not without some harrowing moments along with an appearance by the one saint Damian has been longing to see, attending this entire show was like watching a Frank Capra film. Think how you felt the first time you saw It’s a Wonderful Life, and you’ll get a keen sense of what this show is like.
Part of the magic in this piece goes to its creative team, several of whom have worked on Adam Guettel’s musicals before and have been recognized with a Tony Award. Notable among them are director Bartlett Sher, music director Kimberly Grigsby, scenic designer Michael Yeargan, and costume designer Catherine Zuber. Special kudos to the star of this show, Keenan Barrett, who carries the bulk of the proceedings on his 10-year-old shoulders.
Millions is playing until June 15 at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre, It is a rare these days to find a musical as heartwarming as this one. Who knows, you might even discover that angels do indeed get their wings.
