1,000 Suns is a post-apocalyptic musical set in America, featuring a young talented ensemble cast. We meet the survivors of a nuclear war, who survive in a settlement known only as ‘The Crater’. The residents are imprisoned as much as protected by the voice on the radio, the settlement’s ever so slightly malevolent sounding leader, Uncle Sam.
We meet Jesse and his friends, a group of lovable misfits, who live on the outskirts of the Crater and hence the outskirts of society. They struggle to survive on their lack of credits, barely making their way. The introduction of Laurie, daughter of the infamous Uncle Sam, puts the wheels in motion for their vie for equality and freedom. It’s a story we’ve all heard before.
The cast have great energy and strong voices, but it’s really the script that lets 1,000 suns down. The relationship between Jesse and Laurie comes off as unbelievable and some of Laurie’s self-righteous dialogue just doesn’t ring true. 1,000 suns slightly redeems itself with the interaction between the characters Freddie and Mike, who share a complicated but meaningful relationship.
While this is a futuristic story of the desire for a better way of life, it is also a story about the struggles that every teenager goes through. It’s a good message, but the story and the dialogue scream cliché and unoriginality as the stereotypical American values of hope and freedom are firmly forced upon the audience. Lovers of contemporary American music may have a good time, as the songs are quite catchy and well performed. But while the musical has its good points, the overall feeling is forced and unrealistic.