‘Charlotte Squawks’ at 20 is tougher yet harder to define
Plus: Top news of the week — Bojangles exploring sale; CLT to demolish plantation house; Proposed N.C. bill could lower ambulance bills; JetZero plans 14,500 jobs in N.C.; New basketball tournament
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Review: In its 20th year, ‘Charlotte Squawks’ blends sharp satire with a softer edge toward local power players
Now in its 20th year, “Charlotte Squawks” continues its tradition of turning the city’s headlines into sharp-edged musical comedy at Booth Playhouse. (Photo courtesy of Blumenthal Arts)
by Lawrence Toppman
I have gone to about a third of the “Charlotte Squawks” shows over its 20-year run, and I’m always flattered at how intelligent they assume me to be.
When Jeffrey Goldberg shows up briefly in a text fracas between Tariq Bokhari and Johnny Jennings, I’m supposed to know he’s the Atlantic magazine editor added accidentally to a Pete Hegseth meeting about Yemeni rebels. When someone does a routine about Charlotte Catholic High School’s “culture problem,” I’m expected to know the background behind its accreditation brouhaha and the sudden resignation of the school’s principal.
That I did, and that most of the packed audience Friday at Booth Playhouse also did, became evident in the waves of laughter. The seemingly ageless 11-person cast, expanded this year by newcomer Kayla Simone Ferguson, tore through a series of routines that mostly bypassed long-standing targets — like interstate traffic snarl and the vagaries of Panthers owner David Tepper — for fresher targets, though it didn’t hammer the idiosyncrasies of N.C. government as hard as I’d remembered.
“20th Censure-y Squawks” spent the largest portion of its time savaging the greed, stupidity and heartlessness of Donald Trump’s administration. If you didn’t agree, this must have seemed overkill. But even if you did, it was hard to laugh when Jeff Stetson mocked him as a smirking monarch in the manner of “Hamilton,” especially on the eve of the grotesque birthday party/parade Trump was throwing himself the next day.
Mike Collins, the WFAE “Charlotte Talks” host who also directed and served as executive producer, kicked the night off with an “I am your host” parody of “Wilkommen,” reminding us that “Cabaret” is also a musical about the decline of democracy and the rise of fascism. Producer Brian Kahn, who wrote book and lyrics and oversaw the always-clever PowerPoint design, swiped frequently at The Man Who Would Be King and his partner in egomania, Elon Musk.
Yet there was also righteous anger over Jefferson Griffin’s attempt to keep Allison Riggs out of her N.C. Supreme Court seat (Lucia Victoria channeling Carrie Underwood in “Before He Cheats”), the trivial pursuits of babbling, quarrelsome neighbors in “On Nextdoor” and the ostrich-head-in-the-sand vacillation of Sen. Thom Tillis (“Thommy”).
Two things seemed different to me this year. First, three of the songs were advocacy-based. “Our City Needs Another Train” begged legislators to back the transit bill in play; “I’m Still Standing,” featuring ebullient Griffin Digsby, encouraged the Panthers to stick with embattled Bryce Young as their quarterback; and “I’m Not Joinin’,” with Olivia Edge in powerful voice as the spirit of Greenland, demanded we remember that this land is not a candidate for U.S. statehood. These were funny enough but not satirical, except for images in Kahn’s PowerPoints.
The 20th production of “Charlotte Squawks” touched on several familiar targets, including the troubles of the Carolina Panthers. (Photo couresy of Blumenthal Arts)
Second, the show has walked an uneasy line between mocking local celebrities and schmoozing them, and that was clearer than ever this time. The cast sang “Vi, Vi, Vi,” a knockoff of NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye,” about Charlotte mayor Vi Lyles — who sat beaming in the audience Friday night — and seemed to encourage her amiably to move on from the job she has held for eight years. Lyles also took an implicit hit via the settlement with police Chief Johnny Jennings, which “Squawks” depicted as a boondoggle.
At the same time, we saw Lyles onscreen in a skit where well-known folks read harsh Tweets about Charlotte and/or themselves, and she narrated a funny segment where Charlotte hosted mash-up festivals pairing the likes of Pride Week and Speed Street.
(Like “Squawks,” I pay you the compliment of assuming you know all the references in this review.)
Such ambiguity briefly gave the show a feeble “We’re just pokin’ good fun at our pals” feeling, as bared teeth turned into a harmless grin. Frenemies don’t have a place in satire, because they make us question the intentions of the creators. I wouldn’t accuse “Squawks” of kissing behinds, but I wish it would kick them more consistently.
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If you’re going
“Charlotte Squawks” runs through June 28 in Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St., at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, with 2:30 p.m. shows on June 14, 15, 21 and 28.
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Lawrence Toppman covered the arts for 40 years at The Charlotte Observer before retiring in 2020. Now, he’s back in the critic’s chair for The Charlotte Ledger — look for his reviews several times each month.
➡️ 🎭 Sign up for The Ledger’s “Toppman on the Arts” newsletter, with Toppman’s full reviews sent straight to your inbox when they are ready.
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Related Ledger podcast:
🎧 “Behind ‘Charlotte Squawks,’ with lawyer/comedy writer Brian Kahn”
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Your opinion: Have you seen “Charlotte Squawks”? What did you think? Leave a comment (open to Ledger members only):
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This week in Charlotte: City attorney given a bonus, Airport plans to demolish 200-year-old house, YMCA comeback, Bojangles explores sale, Dickie V Invitational
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Politics
Council member sent email to test for leaks: (Observer) Charlotte City Council member Tiawana Brown says an email she sent suggesting she was not running for re-election was a test sent to a former campaign staffer to see if she could trust her. The email was leaked to WSOC, which reported on it, but Brown says she is running for re-election.
Contract extension, bonus for city attorney: (WFAE) The Charlotte City Council voted to extend the contract of interim City Attorney Anthony Fox and give him a $75,000 bonus, over objections from some council members about Fox’s handling of the city’s $305,000 secret settlement with police Chief Johnny Jennings.
Education
CMS-UNC Charlotte elementary school to close: (WSOC) Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will end its partnership with UNC Charlotte to run Niner University Elementary after this school year, citing low enrollment and facility concerns—an abrupt move that stunned parents and staff.
Advocates urge school board to support immigrant families: (WFAE) Following a parent’s arrest by ICE near Charlotte East Language Academy, parents and advocates urged Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to expand protections for immigrant families, including more immigration-focused staff training and greater access to “Know Your Rights” materials.
Local news
CLT plans to demolish plantation house: (Ledger 🔒) Charlotte’s airport is set to demolish a 200-year-old historic landmark that dates to 1828 and was the former plantation home of an early Mecklenburg farmer.
YMCA comeback: (Ledger 🔒) The YMCA of Greater Charlotte is working to turn its finances around after losing more than half its members during Covid. It’s lowering prices, modernizing facilities and expanding community partnerships, its CEO said in a speech to the Charlotte Rotary Club this week.
Business
JetZero plans 14,500 jobs in N.C.: (Business NC) JetZero, a California-based aviation startup, is bringing its $4.7B aircraft assembly plant to Greensboro, promising up to 14,500 jobs with average pay well above local wages in the state’s largest-ever economic development deal.
Bojangles exploring sale: (Wall Street Journal, subscriber-only) Charlotte-based fast-food chain Bojangles is exploring a potential sale that could value the company at over $1.5B, amid a surge in demand for chicken restaurants and heightened private-equity interest in the sector.
Sports
Dick Vitale Invitational to feature Duke-Texas: A new college basketball tournament is coming to Charlotte: The inaugural Dick Vitale Invitational will debut Nov. 4 at Spectrum Center with Duke facing Texas in a nationally televised matchup, part of a multiyear effort to bring top-tier men’s basketball to the city.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
A proposal in the N.C. legislature would protect patients from steep ambulance bills. Plus: Applications for arts grants to open; Charlotte’s Catholic bishop makes national news; Asbestos in uptown building was first discovered 15 years ago
Wednesday (🔒)
Charlotte airport set to demolish 200-year-old historic landmark. Plus: Review of high-energy Tina Turner musical; How Charlotte is becoming a restaurant and retail hotspot; How ultrarunning shaped one nonprofit leader’s outlook
Friday (🔒)
Charlotte’s YMCA is working to get financially fit. Plus: Charity gives financial tips in tough times; Only 20 minutes of free parking on street at Ballantyne Bowl; 'Much-needed' road extension in south Charlotte; New Ledger assistant editor
Transit tax bill progresses, with bus provision: Charlotte’s transit-and-roads bill gets unanimous approval in the House transportation committee, but WFAE’s Steve Harrison writes that it removes some flexibility on spending.
Bender on his release from Charlotte FC: Former Charlotte FC standout Ben Bender says he’s finally feeling like himself again after a long recovery from knee surgery, embracing a fresh start with the Philadelphia Union and reflecting on his time in Charlotte with gratitude, faith and no hard feelings.
Broadway’s ‘TINA – The Tina Turner Musical’ is long on hit songs, which connect an overextended narrative. Meghan Dawson galvanizes us as Tina Turner.
Three experts discuss emerging trends in Charlotte retail and hospitality, from “eater-tainment” to the flight to the ’burbs to rapidly changing customer expectations. Plus the latest on the Brooklyn Village brouhaha, land deals and more!
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I have been the last few years and always enjoy "Squawks." I know it is good for a laugh! As a local news junkie, I really prefer the pieces about local news, and this year is no exception. I found it to be a fun night with plenty of zingers in many directions. And the cast is very talented.