Theater Review – October 11, 2025

TPTC’S “THE ROADS TO LOCH LOMOND” IS A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT

“The Roads to Loch Lomond”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Hormel Theatre
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

The Phoenix Theatre Company’s (TPTC) regional premiere of the new musical, “The Roads to Loch Lomond” proves a major disappointment.  It is usually exciting to attend a new work but to become a gripping and meaningful addition to theatrical literature the show must meet a key criterion.

The piece must have an interesting story with a premise that impacts its audience.  “The Roads to Loch Lomond” isn’t about a very thought-provoking issue. Set in 1745 Scotland, the musical focuses on a blah incident among commoners happening during a little-known war between the Scots and the English monarchy.

The four characters are simple people with predictable issues.  Playwright Maggie Herskowitz wants audiences to extrapolate these uninteresting people and their unremarkable problems into an exploration of “love, bravery, loyalty, and a deep yearning for freedom” according to show publicity. It never happens.

Several problems make the musical’s desires unattainable.  The expected issues these characters confront never intrigue and nothing unexpected occurs.  The eventual outcome is well prophesized early.

The exceedingly lackluster score by Neil Douglas Reilly possesses no stirring anthems so the mundane musical numbers – all akin to Scottish tunes – unfold without uniqueness. The number of characters is an unusually small collection of people for most musicals.  Each character represents cliched characteristics lacking any unusual traits, ideas, flair, or thoughts. With nothing happening it doesn’t produce a musical that draws its audience into the situation.

The story pits a pair of young lovers who approach each other in a stereotypical manner.  Big surprise that they fall in love. The two more mature characters fight to start a family so they can have a typical relationship.

On top of the insipid story and uninteresting score, mindless and lackluster staging by director Jeff Whiting allows the characters to run around in endless circles in front of an amazingly dark and foreboding set designed by Aaron Jackson picturing the Scottish locale.

The only spark in “The Roads to Loch Lomond” is the ensemble of superb singers and convincing actors who struggle valiantly and mightily to make these lifeless people vibrant and meaningful.  Carmina Monserrat is the young and impressionable lover Ailey and Cassie Chilton is the older Elspeth.  Both sing stirringly.  Jeffrey Kringer is the reassuring husband Lyle who wants a child but convinces Ailey that “what will be, will be.”  Gianni Palmarini is the young love sick James.  Like the women, the two men sing gloriously using their lush voices on the uninteresting tunes.

“The Road to Loch Lomond” will dull audiences to sleep while playing in the larger Stephenson Theatre is Michael Barnard’s brilliantly entertaining “Frozen.”  Yes, the two musicals are very different but if you want to be dazzled, choose “Frozen.” If you want a nap, select “The Roads to Loch Lomond” which scuttles, drably and darkly.  It continues through November 2. To order tickets, call The Phoenix Theatre Company box office at 602-254-2151 or order tickets online at www.phoenixtheatre.com.

Grade: C-