The Confession Musical

Having seen several Blue Gate musicals live in person during my time spanning multiple states, I'd have to say that this was the best overall production that I've experienced. Even though the cast already had some heavy-hitters in Chonda Pierce and John Shneider, there was no shortage of pure talent all the way across the stage.

If you've ever been in a theatrical production, you know big, bold, clear, concise movement is key. However something like this blends the subtlety of camera acting with those larger actions creating a sort of hybrid style of conveying emotion and character.

The story didn't pull any punches, either. There are strong themes of love, loss, family, and faith. They didn't seem to have a problem balancing out the powerful, emotional melodies with the upbeat dance numbers or flat out comedic songs.

Because this movie consisted of a couple of live performances spliced together into one film, there were tiny technical details like the cuts or a shaky camera here or there that could not have been helped. That's the only thing that keeps it from being perfect. But that's live theatre for you!

There's something for everyone in this show and the cast and crew should be very proud of the story that they were able to tell. Gut show!!

Imagine the worst musical you've ever seen. Now imagine the most poorly filmed movie you've ever seen. Now imagine they've had a baby. That is what you get here.

Additionally, that baby was given away at birth and has just found this out. She will drop everything and leave her tightly-knit Amish community and the parents she supposedly loves in a heartbeat to go run off and meet her birth mom. A birth mom who happens to be wealthy and dying and leaving everything to her - but she doesn't even know this. She accepts being shunned in a very "dramatic" scene (yes, I mean those quotes ironically) and the next time we see her she's cheerily on a cell phone calling to find the woman who gave her up and lives either in New York or Canada. Miraculously, the operator finds the woman for her immediately. How convenient.

Not convoluted enough? The husband of the dying woman has hired an actor to pretend to be the daughter so he can steal his dying wife's money. Why? Who the hell knows. No one in this story seems to have any motivation for doing anything or any need to really work for any of it. It's a shame because if these people were two-dimensional then there might be something here worth watching. But these characters have the depth of a kiddie pool. A half-full kiddie pool.

The acting was mostly laughably bad, the staging was boring, the music unmemorable, and the character development non-existent. The script just doesn't pass muster. Hopefully this truly was a one-time event because unless someone wants to do a lot of work to this show it's not worth three hours of your time.

This movie is Inspiring, uplifting, and heartwarming.

The suspenseful storyline is full of twists and turns.

The music is excellent and the singing is heartfelt and professional.

If you want a look into a different culture with family friendly humor, up close and personal acting, and a movie that stays with you on the drive home, then this is the movie for you.

I wish the movie run had been longer and will look for it on streaming. I highly recommend this faith based film. There is a question and answer session immediately after the show with John Schneider and Chonda Pierce and the screenwriter Martha Bolton.

Unlike Derck i am not a professional critic: I went to this movie not knowing what to expect and was thoroughly entertained. This Caroline lady sang" I'm Lost" that brought a tear to my eye. John Shneiders" How hard could it be" was funny the Allyson girl you can tell was a great singer when she hits the hi notes in the play. The best song in the play in my opinion, is when the two mothers sing on both sides of the stage then Caroline Clay joins them this is so very powerful and if anything, i would have ended the first act on that powerful song it still gives me goosebumps. The Amish mother can SANG and i mean SANG. I will go see this again . And i will tell my friends to stream it on the firestick. Great job I gave you a 9 because of the length of the movie.....thank u i was entertained. Ba.