During the '20s and '30s a distinct form called musical comedy flourished on Broadway. Though it still forms the bedrock of the American Musical Theatre, few musical new musical comedies have been written in the past two decades. Various strategies have kept the form alive; last season produced "The Drowsy Chaperone", a show about a mythical musical. In fact the common element about current musical comedies is their being mostly about doing a musical. The 1992 Tony-winner, "Crazy for You" a "new" Gershwin show built atop the forgettable original book for "Girl Crazy" by Bolton and McGowan is typical of this variation. Given that the piece is almost bursting at the seams with favorite Gershwin tunes plus a few welcome surprises, it's becoming something of a standard itself.
Kirby and Beverly Ward did their Broadway recreation with Reagle Players two seasons ago. Now North Shore Music Theatre is opening their season with Richard Stafford's conception of Ken Ludwig's revamped book with choreography especially adapted for NSMT's arena stage. He's cast song and dance man Jeffry Denman as Bobby Child's, the NYC banker who wants to be a hoofer, and Amanda Watkins, fresh off the road for "Sweet Charity" as Polly Baker, the girl from Deadrock, Nevada. Of course, even though she lives in a dying gold rush town, her father (John O'Creagh) still holds on to his abandoned musical hall. Bobby is sent by his domineering mother, played by NSMT regular Maureen Brennan, to foreclose on the property--she owns the bank--and the rest is predictable and typically amusing.
NSMT's favorite character man, David Coffee plays impresario Bela Zangler, whose Broadway revue Bobby wants to dance in. When Bobby invites Zangler's chorus girls to come West and be in a show he's sure will save Polly's theatre, Zangler, who's mad for his dance captain Tess, played by Kristen Beth Williams follows them into the desert. Did I mention that Bobby is impersonating Zangler, since Polly, who he's fallen in love with won't speak to him--because of the foreclosure? And there's his fiance, Irene, vamped by Lyn Philistine. She shows up in Deadrock to find out what he's up to.
Book writer Ken Ludwig has mastered the tropes of musical comedy fluff and taken them to an extreme. Of course, Irene winds up with the local saloon keeper, Lank Hawkins played by Jonathan Stahl, who's also the associate director. Zangler and Tess have a more than professional relationship--finally. And Polly, who's decided to go to New York to find Bobby misses the train just after Bobby comes back with the deed to Zangler's Theatre. here are a few more odd twists, including a visit by the Fodors, played by Gordon Baird and Tory Ross.
This is a show with one intent, to entertain by reveling in human silliness in a grand style. The costumes are based on William Ivey Long's original designs. Campbell Baird's set has numerous flying pieces, things popping out of the floor, and of course the show's iconic Rolls Royce, which Bobby dances on in the first big number after it disgorges a bevy of chorines. Edward Reichert in the pit gets full mileage out Gershwin's unique tunes, and the cast enunciates Ira's lyrics for every bit of wit. It's a strong start to what promises to be an interesting season.