Murrow

Written by Joseph Vitale

Directed by Montgomery Sutton

Bren Rapp Presents

MURROW by Joseph Vitale

The Elevator Project

The regional premiere of a powerful, multimedia, one-man show exploring the life of famous broadcaster Edward R. Murrow.

Apr 11 - 21, 2024

My thoughts on Murrow or…a time when integrity mattered.

Before attending Murrow, I spent a few hours reviewing his career on YouTube. I was familiar with the name, but not the man. I was grateful for the background knowledge, but it was really unnecessary. Writer Joseph Vitale, Director Montgomery Sutton, and Nicolas Greco as Edward R. Murrow tell his story marvelously well in 80 compact minutes.

From humble beginnings in rural North Carolina, Murrow became one of the most powerful and preeminent radio and television journalists of the mid-twentieth century. He was a pioneer newsman at CBS and won the respect of most Americans. Although he was often in the company of world leaders, Murrow’s inspiration was his college speech professor and mentor Ida Lou Anderson, the woman who changed the path of his life.

The play follows Murrow from his early life and concentrates on two of his major contributions to history, his reports from war torn London and his attempt to call Senator Joseph McCarthy out for his unethical Communist witch hunt.

The story is told from a desk on a raised stage with screens angled above to give a midcentury modern feel. The set is designed by Clare Floyd DeVries. There are excellent projections from Erick Scot Voecks and equally excellent lighting and sound by Aaron Johansen and Kellen Voss respectively.

If this makes the play sound static, it is far from it. Director Sutton has Nicolas Greco’s Murrow traversing the stage and even coming into the audience. He makes eye contact with us, which makes Murrow not just a player on a stage, but another human, a fellow traveler, if you will. Greco becomes Murrow and we are privy to Murrow’s heart, mind, and soul. Writer Joseph Vitale uses Murrow’s own words here, increasing our admiration for the man even more.

I always say that the best one person shows, especially those about well-known people, make me feel as if I were time traveling. Through Nicolas Greco’s superb performance, I am there feeling my room shake during the blitz and observing the tumult of its aftermath. I am horrified walking through Buchenwald observing the Nazi atrocities firsthand. I am in those smoke-filled rooms at CBS fearing the power of Joseph McCarthy. And most importantly, I am beside Murrow as his personal integrity never wavers facing that fear.

“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty,” warns Murrow. “When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.” Wise words that resonate clearly in 2024.

Murrow is a thoroughly engrossing and important play. It’s an entertaining and profound look at the legendary broadcaster and true American.

Photos by Will McLain