Legedary Bwy Musical Composer John Kander's "Kid Victory" is a Debacle at Vineyard Theater

John Kander is one of America's greatest musical composers (b 1927.)  He' received Tonys, an Emmy & several Acad Award nominations.  To name but a few of Kander's brilliant B'wy musicals: Chicago, Cabaret, Woman of the Year & The Scottsboro Boys (which should have won the Pulitzer.)  "Kid Victory" is major misfire, mixing distressing drama (an upducted teen is held captive & brutally abused; sexually, physically & mentally with B'wy song/dance numbers.  Kander's musical genius made Cabaret, Chicago & Scottsboro Boys sensational & intelligent shows by blending serious subject matter with music & choreography.  With "Kid Victory" it's a major mishap & missed opportunity to develop the gravitas of several significant themes.  Luke (Brandon Flynn) is the kindhearted teen troubled by his family's religious fanaticism while coming to terms with his homosexuality.  Parental disconnect from their children is a major issue in Luke's home along with devout, unquestioning faith.  Luke's controlling & emotionally unavailable parents are contrasted with parental disconnect stemming from an overly permissive & disengaged mother, Emily.  Luke finds solace working for Emily after returning home after nearly a year missing.  We learn Luke fell prey to a sexual deviant & deranged older man via the internet.  (A wise warning to both teens & adults regarding inherent dangers with the internet.)  The play runs 1 hr & 40 min. without interruption so as not to disrupt the taught drama of Luke's imprisonment & abuse and his difficult re-entry with his parents, peers & his previous life.  The musical numbers demolish the credibility of Luke's struggles. Kander wrote more than a dozen musical numbers  that were inane in context & jolting to the story.  It was a shame to waste the talented musicians & in depth instrumentation: keyboards, strings, reeds, bass, percussion & even a French horn.  The only Bwy veteran in the cast, Karen Ziemba who played Luke's mom was given a stereotypical part as a woman of faith who neglects her son's emotional needs.  Laura Darrell plays Luke's former high school girlfriend although she's way too old for the role.  The single set was adroitly used to shift time/location.  But keeping Luke's abductor/tormentor on stage long after he blew his brains out was lunacy.  Flynn is credited with a convincing performance trying to navigate troubled waters & finding his way.  There wasn't a safe port in any storm for him until the very end, when his father finally initiates a honest & heartfelt dialogue.  "Kid Victory" might have managed clear sailing as a drama.  Unfortunately, John Kander's musical genius dropped anchor & sunk the play.