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“For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, ‘It might have been’." Singer/songwriter Ned Massey’s autobiographical musical, Bloodties, currently running as part of the 2010 New York Musical Theatre Festival, is a good illustration of both the veracity and timelessness of 19th century American poet John Greenleaf Whittier’s observation. Fresh out of college, Massey was discovered by legendary music industry producer and talent scout John Hammond, who described him as "the finest talent since Dylan and Springsteen."
Both Bob and Bruce (along with Count Basie, Billie Holliday, Stevie Ray Vaughn and a host of others) were signed by Hammond during his long career. Unfortunately, Massey’s mentor suffered a stroke while working on what was to be the songwriter’s first album, and died in 1987. Whether the author of Bloodties himself ever recovered from this twist of fate, and what the rest of his life has been like, is the crux of the musical he has written and stars in.
Although the show as a whole, and its book, in particular, has a way to go before providing 
a thoroughly engaging, entertaining evening, one thing is undeniably clear: Hammond was right. Ned Massey is a very talented songwriter, indeed. Of the nearly two dozen folk-rock songs listed in the program, more than half are winners, engaging the audience with fresh harmonies and literate lyrics (although the false rhymes of pop songwriting are sometimes evident). The rest are merely good.
If Massey was unlucky in most of his life, as the show all too readily wants us to know and believe, he is most fortunate in his strong supporting cast, expertly directed by Scott C. Embler and well accompanied by the band led by Michael M. Morris. As a sort of one-man chorus, Christopher Kale Jones lends his extremely strong vocals to a role that needs to be more clearly defined. Primarily playing Massey’s patient, persevering wife, is the powerhouse performer Katie Thompson, who scores heavily with her astringent solo, “Something You Should Know." As the author’s mother, musical theatre veteran Nancy Ringham is also provided with a chance to shine in the beautifully written, poignant “Mother’s Crazy Dream.” Doing the best he can with the one-note role of the abusive, always angry father, is the talented George McDaniel, who’s allowed to briefly show a softer side in the lovely title song.
Playing the central role of Ned, is the author himself, who sings and performs his songs well, but is often overpowered by his cast mates' charisma and stronger stage chops. One can’t deny the authenticity he brings to the book scenes as both performer and librettist, but hopefully, as this worthy show progresses, he’ll find a way to tighten the evening and lighten the tone. (A little bit of Massey’s frequent “God, why are you doing this to me?” monologues goes a long way.) If he succeeds, another literary quote, one by novelist George Eliot, may soon apply to Ned Massey: “It is never too late to become what you might have been.”
Bloodties will be performed at the TBG Theatre, 312 W. 36 St., Third Floor, on Oct. 6 @ 8pm. For tickets and further information, visit
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