At its heart, Assassins dazzles with pacing and the talent of its cast—but the venue? A mixed bag. The Ortona Armouries in Rossdale Flats are clearly a bold new Fringe location—spacious, rugged, full of character—but pairing a full cast, a small band, and a packed crowd inside that brick-walled shell results in a soundscape that’s, well, a bit of a mumble-fest. The mix feels cacophonous and overwhelming, and the lyrical clarity suffers.

That said, when the show moves into more intimate set pieces, the audio issues recede. It’s then that the strength of the performances—and the emotional punch of the music—comes through. The troubadour throughout is a standout, delivering a performance that lingers long after the music fades.

This production is undeniably ambitious, and the cast delivers with polish and presence. Yes, the venue’s acoustics occasionally muddy the broadsides of voices and music—but it’s easy to see how, with a clearer audio setting, this show could truly soar.

So here’s the deal: you might not get a seat right now—it’s sold out—but if a second run or holdover becomes an option, make it a priority. Because beneath that sonic chaos, this Assassins has heart, ambition—and enough talent to demand a second listen.