Under a starry sky

Patti Murin and Bryce Ryness
as Joey Storms in "Fly By
Night." Photo by Joan Marcus

Henry Stram and Allison Case as
Miriam in a scene from "Fly By
Night," at Playwrights Horizons.
Photo by Joan Marcus.

Adam Chanler-Berat as Harold,
Patti Murin as Daphne in
"Fly By Night." Photo by
Joan Marcus.

Patti Murin and Allison Case
in a scene from "Fly By Night."
Photo by Joan Marcus

Like the stars in big city skies, things are sometmes lost when the bright lights are found or turned on.

In "Fly By Night," a musical at Playwrights Horizons through June 29th, two sisters from South Dakota find themselves under the bright lights of New York City.

It's almost always better to be shown than told, so the early appearance of the Narrator (Henry Stram) in "Fly By Night" was cause for pause. No need to have worried. "Fly By Night" is for the most part a touchingly funny and lovely musical play. The ending (partial spoiler alert) is however a downer.

Miriam (Allison Case) reluctantly accompanies her sister Daphne (Patti Murin) in her quest for stardom. In New York City, Daphne meets Harold (Adam Chanler-Berat,) a sandwich maker with a guitar. Daphne also meets Joey Storms (Bryce Ryness,) a playwright determined to make her his muse. The triangle is squared off when Miriam meets Harold.

The story, conceived by Kim Rosenstock,who wrote it in collaboration with Will Connolly and Michael Mitnick, is part boy meets grils, and part "My Sister Eileen." 

"Fly By Night" treads delicately over serious even sad themes. These include ambition, or the lack of it, achievement, and acceptance.

Oddly since this is a musical, the music goes unbilled  "Fly By Night." We note that co-author Will Connolly is a musician and make the leap that he should be creditied with the music. The musical director, conductor and on-stage keyboardist is Vadim Feichtner, who leads Foe Destroyer (the band) with Chris McQueen on electric guitar, Daniel Garcia on bass guitar and keyboard, and Cade Sadler on drums and acoustic guitar.

Adam Chanler-Berat's goofy charm makes his feckless Harold alluring. As Miriam, Allison Case is perfectly fidgety and uncertain, while her voice soars. Standing out is tough when the whole cast shines as it does here, but Bryce Ryness is wonderful as Joey Storms, the writer with too much to say. The veteran Michael McCormick, playing Harold's boss Crabbie, gets a chance to strut his stuff in "Fly By Night" as well. There are a few too many eleven o'clock numbers, but thankfully Mr. McClam (Peter Friedman) gets his in and it's a doozy.

So often, too many authors spoil the plot, but here three seems a good balance. "Fly By Night" is a musical about fate and the stars that, like its stars, is very appealing.

Visit Playwrights Horizons to learn more about "Fly By Night," and to check for tickets.

High School as a Circle of Hell

Barrett Wilbert Weed as Veronica Sawyer, Ryan McCartan as "JD," and Jessica Keenan Wynn as Heather Chandler in a scene from "Heathers, The Musical." Photo by Chad Batka.

Can belonging to a clique save you from the worst parts of growing up?

In "Heathers, The Musical," based on the Daniel Waters (screenplay)-Michael Lehmann (direction) 1989 film, adapted by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O'Keefe under the direction of Andy Fickman, playing at New World Stages, there is a high price to pay for fitting in.

Veronica Sawyer's (Barrett Wilbert Weed) seeks protection from bullying by befriending the most terrifying bullies at Westerburg High. Veronica is smart and pretty so her need for the Heathers-- Heather Chandler (Jessica Keenan Wynn), McNamara (Elle McLemore) and Duke (Alice Lee)-- seems an unnecessary precaution.

Elle McLemore, Charissa Hogeland (dance captain) and Alice Lee as the dreaded and popular Heathers.
Photo by Brad Chatka.

Veronica double dips by also hooking up with the glamourously elusive "JD" ( short for Jason Dean--played by Ryan McCartan) whose angst is a tad more extreme than that of most seventeen year olds. When JD beats up two jocks, Ram Sweeney (Jon Eidson) and Kurt Kelly (Evan Todd), in the cafeteria, he proves that he is more than a match for any other bad of the boys at school.

Jon Eidson as Ram Sweeney and Katie Ladner as Martha Dunnstock in a scene from "Heathers, The Musical." Photo by Brad Chatka.

Is it silly? You betcha. Over the top ridiculous. Is it entertaining? Ditto. Positively non-stop. An energetic cast with fine leads in Barrett Wilbert Weed, Jessica Keenan Wynn and Ryan McCartan keeps this musical running along. The Greek chorus of Ram, Kurt and Heather Chandler adds a nice theatricality to the episodic script.

To learn more about "Heathers, The Musical," please visit http://heathersthemusical.com/.

Pride in "Working"

Joe Cassidy in foreground with cast of "Working " at 59E59 Theaters in a Prospect Theater Company production.
Photo by Richard Termine.

For most people, work is more than a job. It's about more than collecting a paycheck. It's about making a contribution.

"Working A Musical," at 59E59 Theaters in a production by the Prospect Theater Company through December 30th, celebrates the dignity of the American workforce. The closing number,  Craig Carnelia's "Something To Point To," for instance, is a song of workers' pride in what they do.

Based on Studs Terkel's seminal series of interviews, "Working" was originally adapted by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso, for a Chicago run at the Goodman Theatre in 1977 and moved to Broadway where it closed after just 24 post preview performances. It has been revised and performed many times since in Chicago and LA, Florida, New Haven and San Diego. The current revival, which also commemorates Terkel's centenary, adds two new songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda and has additional contributions to the book by director Gordon Greenberg.

Marie-France Arcilla with the cast behind her working in a factory to the James Taylor tune "Millwork."Photo by Richard Termine.
  

Songs in "Working" range from laments like Micki Grant's "Cleanin' Woman" and "If I Could've Been" and James Taylor's "Millwork" to anthems like Taylor's "Brother Trucker" those by Stephen Schwartz "All The Livelong Day,"or "Nobody Tells Me How" from Susan Birkenhead (lyrics) and Mary Rodgers  
(music) or Craig Carnelia's "The Mason."

"It's An Art," according to Delores Dante (Donna Lynne Champlin with cast  in background). Photo by Richard Termine.

If "Working" teaches us anything it's that "Nobody is just a waitress!" Donna Lynne Champlin is a show of her own as the wonderful Delores Dante. "I get intoxicated with giving service," Delores says as she shuttles plates and cups. "It becomes theatrical and I feel like... I'm on stage." For Delores, being a waitress -- well, in Schwartz's words, "It's An Art."  

Variety is the spice of this musical tribute to "what we do all day," as Terkel put it. Everyone gets to work in several settings.  In "Working," six hard-working actors portay 36 of Terkel's  industrious subjects. For instance, Joe Cassidy is credibly and movingly by turns an ironworker, hedge fund manager, a publicist, and a retiree.

Among the workers interviewed in "Working," there is a factory worker (Marie-France Arcilla), a sex worker (Kenita R. Miller), a stone mason (Nahal Joshi), a fireman and a UPS driver (Jay Armstrong Johnson), a nanny and a flight attendant (Marie-France again),  a cleaning lady (Kenita), a fast food worker (Nahal), and a school teacher (Donna Lynne). Each has his own story and song  in the vignettes that make up the show.

Nehal Joshi, Jay Armstrong Johnson, and Joe Cassidy with Marie-France Arcilla, Kenita R. Miller and Donna Lynne Champlin behind them in Taylor's "Brother Trucker."  Photo by Richard Termine.

Along with Donna Lynne Champlin's show-stopping contributions as Delores and then again as the school teacher, Rose Hoffman, there is also Joe Cassidy's poignant portrayal of the retiree, Joe Zutty in Carnelia's "Joe,"  neatly followed by "A Very Good Day" by Miranda and performed by Nehal Joshi as a elder-care worker, Utkarsh Trajillo and Marie-France Arcilla as the nanny, Theresa Liu. Kenita R. Miller's Kate Rushton, "Just A Housewife" (Carnelia),  and Maggie Holmes, "A Cleanin' Lady" (Grant) contrast with her buttomed-up project manager, Amanda McKenny, and her all-out prostitute Roberta Victor.  

The pace is fast, and the subject interesting.  In this economy, it sometimes feels like just having a job is a gift, but "Working" is about all the people who do the jobs--menial and meaningful-- and how they feel about what they accomplish each day.

For more information about "Working," visit www.59e59.org, please.

Make a wish: A Christmas Story...

'Tis the season for wishing and presents. 

Here's a wish for you: gift yourself "A Christmas Story: The Musical" before it ends its season at  The Lunt-Fontaine Theatre on December 30th.

In  "A Christmas Story: The Musical," Jean Shepherd (Dan Lauria) narrates a memory from childhood in which Ralphie (Johnny Rabe) is so desperate to get a "Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun" that his 

pleas tie his tongue.

Photo by Carol Rosegg. Johnny Rabe as Ralphie, Zac Ballard as his brother Randy and Erin Dilly as their mother.

 

His Mother (Erin Dilly) laughs off his Christmas wish with a "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out," a sentiment that is reprised in the taunt his teacher Miss Shields (Caroline O'Connor) delivers in one of Ralphie's many reveries.

In that same Fantasy scene, the youngest little scene-stealer in tapshoes, Luke Spring (age 9) out taps  his elders, including the wonderful Caroline O'Connor. In fact, the prodigious talent on stage in "A Christmas Story: The Musical" comes in all sizes and ages. And Warren Carlyle's brilliant choreography adds sparkle at every turn to "A Christmas Story: The Musical."

Luke Spring and Caroline O'Connor in a scene called "Fantasy 1930s Speakeasy." Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Ralphie's father, The Old Man (John Bolton), cursing a gibberish-load, harbors a wish of his own. His "Major Award" from a crossword contest inspires one of the most memorable of many terrific dance sequences in "A Christmas Story: The Musical."

The Old Man (John Bolton) with his "Major Award." Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Newcomers  Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (music and lyrics) with Joseph Robinette (book) retooled the 1983 film "A Christmas Story" by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark and Shepherd's book "In God We Trust All Others Pay Cash" to give Broadway this generous holiday gift.

Dan Lauria as Jean Shepherd in a photo by Carol Rosegg.

The music in "A Christmas Story: The Musical" is varied and interesting with, just for example a lovely "What a Mother Does" (sung by the lovely Erin Dilly) balanced by the rousing ensemble piece "Ralphie To The Rescue."

Johnny Rabe as Ralphie. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

In a superb cast, each with their own moments in which to shine, John Bolton is the topper on the tree. He is a very funny and gifted man. 

Kristen, the kindergartner in the next seat, enjoyed "A Christmas Story: The Musical" as did her dad. "A Christmas Story: The Musical" has more grit and glory than the usual children's play. Adults and tykes alike will have a rollicking good time.

For more information about "A Christmas Story: The Musical," please visit http://achristmasstorythemusical.com/.

Ugly is as ugly does in 'DOGFIGHT" -- gets a second look

This is an update since we had a chance to give "Dogfight" a second look!

For some, cruelty is a birthright. For others a rite of passage. 

"Dogfight," the new musical  playing at Second Stage Theatre through August 19th, doesn't examine the fine points of meanness and callousness. It does offer an improbable, or on second peek moving, redemption for Eddie Birdlace (Derek Klena.) Rose Feeney (Lindsay Mendez) sees past the ugliness of his actions and his physical good looks.

Lindsay Mendez as Rose with Derek Klena as Birdlace and company in the musical “Dogfight.” Photo © Joan Marcus.

 

In "Dogfight," with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and a book by Peter Duchan based on the 1991 indie film of the same name, male bonding is mostly abusive and nasty. The girls, like Marcy (Annaleigh Ashford) and Chippy (Deirdre Friel, who also plays a number of other cameos) and even Rose are either victims, or just wanna have fun. Eddie and his pals, Boland (Josh Segarra) and Bernstein (Nick Blaemire), the three Bs, are marines on the eve of shipping out. Their destinaton is Vietnam. 

F. Michael Haynie as Fector, Nick Blaemire as Bernstein, Adam Halpin as Stevens, Josh Segarra as Boland, and Steven Booth as Gibbs in “Dogfight.” Photo © Joan Marcus.

This last night in San Francisco is for them to have "Some Kinda Time," as the opening number suggests. The songs are not unpleasantly generic '60s style pop, maybe with a bit of an edge to match the subject matter. The acting is good, particularly Derek Klena and Lindsay Mendez as the leads, and Annaleigh Ashford's Marcy is tough as nails and terrific.

DeirdreFriel as Bernstein’s silent date, Nick Blaemire as Bernstein, Derek Klena as Birdlace, Lindsay Mendez as Rose, Josh Segarra as Boland, and Annaleigh Ashford as Marcy in the musical “Dogfight.” Photo © Joan Marcus.  

"Dogfight" is about insensitivity and heartlessness. Why are we not championing the women these marines treat so badly? It seems like we should be more concerned. The story line while both disturbing and satisfying, still manages to be bland. "Dogfight" uses the familiarity of its musical style, the dancing, and the wrap-around sets of staircases and catwalks, designed by David Zinn, to bolster the weakness of its plot.

So, about that second look: "Dogfight" was much more engaging the second time around. Its central characters were touching and its storyline was poignant. Even the music flowed better and was more interesting.  

  Derek Klena as Birdlace, James Moye as the party singer, Lindsay Mendez as Rose in the musical “Dogfight.” Photo © Joan Marcus.

To find out more about "Dogfight" visit http://www.2st.com/.

"Ghost..." Haunts A Broadway Stage

Who knew blockbuster was spelled G_h_o_s_t?

Caissie Levy as Molly Jensen and cast in “Ghost the Musical.” Photo © Joan Marcus.

Bruce Joel Rubin (book & lyrics) has adapted his Academy Award winning film into "Ghost the Musical," in the Lunt-Fontaine Theatre for what may prove to be a very long run. (See videos from the show at www.ghostonbroadway.com.)

Caissie Levy as Molly Jensen, Richard Fleeshman as Sam Wheat and Bryce Pinkham as Carl Bruner in “Ghost the Musical.” Photo © Joan Marcus.

"Ghost the Musical" merges the cinematic with the dramatic into a spectacular spindrift of song, dance and romance. Matthew Warchus helms a musical play with many moving parts all of which contribute to the atmosphere of other-worldly excitement. The visual tricks (Illusions by Paul Kieve and Video & Projections by Jon Driscoll in a prodcution designed by Rob Howell) will convince the greatest cynic that there are ghosts among us. Ashley Wallen's dynamic choreography, with additional movement sequences by Liam Steel keep up the pace and tension in "Ghost the Musical" even for those of us who have seen the iconic movie.

Da”Vine Joy Randolph as Oda Mae Brown, Richard Fleeshman as Sam Wheat and Jeremy Davis as a Bank Officer in “Ghost the Musical.” Photo © Joan Marcus.

Like the movie's plot, "Ghost the Musical" is a simple romantic fantasy. After he is murdered in what looks like a street robbery gone bad, Sam Wheat (Richard Fleeshman) can find no peace until he makes an honest psychic out of the con woman Oda Mae Brown (Da'Vine Joy Randolph). In "Ghost the Musical," Sam comes to rely on Oda Mae to keep his girlfriend, Molly Jensen (Caissie Levy) out of harm's way and to avenge his untimely death. Whoopi Goldberg's fans won't be disappointed in Randolph's sassy Oda Mae, who turns out to have a gift for leading souls to their rest. Randolph is a triple threat star, acting, singing and dancing; her Oda Mae has swagger and vulnerability as she reluctantly befriends Sam's ghost.

Da”Vine Joy Randolph as Oda Mae Brown and cast in “Ghost the Musical.” Photo © Joan Marcus.

Fleeshman develops his character well showing first Sam's bewilderment at what has happened to him, and then his tenacity at making things right. Carl Bruner (Bryce Pinkham), Sam's colleague who hits on Molly a little too soon, is swarmy and appropriately a little creepy. Levy and Fleeshman are pretty to watch adding the heat to this love story.

Caissie Levy as Molly Jensen and Richard Fleeshman as Sam Wheat at the pottery wheel in “Ghost the Musical.” Photo © Joan Marcus.

Even the technical glitch that held up the conclusion in act two at the preview performance this reviewer attended kept everyone in their seats. It was taken as a time to talk amongst ourselves and wait patiently. Please visit www.ghostonbroadway.com for tickets and to learn more about the show.

It's A Bright New Clear Day

You know you're in strange country when a strong, sane psychiatrist talks seriously about reincarnation.

David Turner as David Gamble, Jessie Mueller as Melinda Wells and Harry Connick Jr as Dr. Mark Bruckner in “On A Clear Day You Can See Forever.” Photo by Nicole Rivelli

This peculiar territory is the premise of Alan Jay Lerner's and Burton Lane's 1965 musical "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever," at The St. James Theatre. (See opening night video.)

A word in retrospect, now that "On A Clear Day..." has drifted off into the sunset: Acting on "Law and Order" or performing one of his charming concerts, Harry Connick Jr. is a Sinatra for his generation. It has to be admitted that in "On A Clear Day...," he was not at his best, which is still pretty good.

The premise of the play is made all the odder still by script updates to Lerner's book contributed by Peter Parnell. Odder but still charming in its own loopy way.

Reset to 1974, with a bright psychedelic set by Christine Jones, "On A Clear Day..." is also enlivened by the presence, in addition to Harry Connick, Jr. as Dr. Mark Bruckner, of star discoveries, David Turner as his patient David Gamble and Jessie Mueller as Melinda Wells, David Gamble's most recent past life.

David stumbles into Dr. Bruckner's care after being inadvertently hypnotized, a trick the doctor performs during the class David goes to with his roommate Muriel (Sarah Stiles). It turns out that David is extremely susceptible to hypnosis.

David's sessions with Dr. Bruckner lead to the revelation that David was once Melinda Wells, an attractive and lively band singer from the '40s. When Dr. Bruckner meets her, he is smitten.

David Turner as David Gamble with Drew Gehling as Warren Smith, in a photo by Paul Kolnik

In the original version, Dr. Bruckner's patient was a woman. The original plot had none of the unwonted sexual-identity complications introduced in the current production.

Unwonted because Dr. Bruckner is straight. He is a man who, after three years, is still grieving the death of his wife. The complications, in which David thinks Dr. Bruckner is in love with him, and that he is in love with Dr. Bruckner, make the story line seem even more eccentric.

Kerry O’Malley as Dr. Sharone Stein, Dr. Bruckner's colleague and friend, in a photo by Paul Kolnik

David Turner is an exceptionally spirited performer. Drew Gehling who plays his lover, Warren Smith, is excellent. Jessie Mueller has plenty of talent. Lori Wilner's Mrs. Hatch, a secretary in the Kravis Institute where Dr. Bruckner works, delivers some very entertaining psycho-patter.
In fact, everyone in the cast of "A Clear Day..." does a terrific job in convincing us that all is well and normal. And the songs are truly lovely.

So, in short, all is forgiven, even though the day may be clear but the plot a bit foggy.

For more information about "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever" visit http://onacleardaybroadway.com/
_________________________________________________________________
A short history of "On A Clear Day..." can be found at Wikipedia:
The 1970 film adaptation, directed by Vincente Minelli, of the original Broadway hit (it received three Tony nods) starred Barbara Steisand, Yves Montand and Jack Nicholson. _______________________________________________________________________ Now that "On A Clear Day..." has drifted off into the sunset: Acting on "Law and Order" or performing one of his charming concerts, Harry Connick Jr. is a Sinatra for his generation. It has to be admitted that in "On A Clear Day...," he was not at his best, which is still pretty good.

Romantic At Heart

Everyone needs a little romance, especially as that second week of February approached.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, this group of fourteen troubadors bring us "Lovesick, or Things That Don't Happen," a Project Y Theatre Company presentation at 59E59 Theaters through February 25th.

The series of vignettes are vaguely linked by recurringly named- characters. Oh, yes, and by a sort of hipster cynicism about love. Although, that cynicism may be masking a warped romaticism.

Jessica Varley as Amy in “Lovesick…” Photo © Matthew Murphy

The "Things That Don't Happpen" are charmingly funny, as for instance, the former banker now crack whore. "I prefer narcotic prostitute," Jessica (Teresa Stephenson) tells Brian (Andrew William Smith).

Andrew William Smith, Jeff Tuohy, Joachim Boyle and Barrett Hall in “Lovesick…” Photo © Matthew Murphy

The charm is in the performances given by the young cast. The funny is in the off-handedly easy going stories and songs from the creative team of Lia Romeo (plays), Michole Biancosino (concept and direction) and Tony Biancosino (songs). Each playlet is punctuated by an upbeat musical number.

Elizabeth Elkins as Wendy and Joe Varca as Max in “Lovesick…” Photo © Matthew Murphy

In one skit, Max (Joe Varca) tells Wendy (Elizabeth Elkins) a whooping sad tale in order to win her back. Then, after an on-stage costume change, they sing "Oh oh oh, I'm changing/.../ Yeah, I'm changing for you. It's almost subtle, and very entertaining.

Each of the seven witty little pieces in "Lovesick..." take a slightly askew look at love and its iterations.

Improbability meets passion. These folks wouldn't be suggesting that love could make anything come true, would they?

Michael Nathanson as Jack and Rian Alfiero as Father in “Lovesick…” Photo © Matthew Murphy

Michael Nathanson plays host as the MC for the evening, engaging the audience in silly exchanges. The actors double as the house band so that the evening has a free-flowing welcome to my club feel.

To learn more about "Lovesick..." go to www.59e59.org.