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Masthead
A CurtainUpReview
Encores' On the Town
By Elyse Sommer
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New York, New York, a helluva town, The Bronx is up and the Battery's down. The people ride in a hole in the groun'. New York, New York, it's a helluva town!! |
Christian Borle as Ozzie and Jennifer Laura Thompson as Claire DeLoone
(Photo: Joan Marcus) |
Now the invaluable Encores! series has again put our razzle-dazzle city into the spotlight to give New Yorkers a chance to once again experience the magic of this first of a trio of New York musicals by Comden and Green (Wonderful Town, 1953, again with music by Bernstein which five years went from an Encores! revival to a successful Broadway run; and The Bells Are Ringing, 1956, with music by Jules Styne).
It's not much of a story (Set in wartime 1944, the show chronicles the adventures of three sailors on a 24-hour shore leave in New York City). But oh that gorgeous music! For all its symphonic resonance, this is, a real dancing show which, in fact, had its genesis in Jerome Robbins' ballet, "Fancy Free." Several of Robbins' terrific dance numbers have been reconstructed by Encores' Warren Carlyle with an assist from Scott Wise who won the Tony Award for his performance in Jerome Robbins’ Broadway. As each of the sailors — this time played by Justin Bohon, Christian Borle and Tony Yazbeck— falls in love with a woman, so the show's creators reveal the main object of their affections: New York City. And so, as we follow the sailors on their madcap 24-hour leave, we're taken to all the attractions that made New York circa 1944 "New York, New York, a visitors place/ Where no one lives on account of the pace,/ But seven millions are screaming for space."
Michael Cumpsty & Julyana Soelistyo
(Photo: Joan Marcus) |
While this production has not abandoned the scripts-in-hand style that's part of these all too short runs with their limited rehearsal times, this dance heavy show makes those scripts more unobrusive than ever. Tony Yazbeck, on leave from Gypsy is an attractive and endearing Gabey. Jessica Lee Goldyn's Miss Turnstiles makes you understand his being smitten the minute he spots her picture in the subway poster. The fleetfooted Christian Borle and Justin Bohon are perfect choices to round out the bell-bottomed trio on their first visit to New York.
Leslie Kritzer must surely be enjoying the fun role of Hildy Esterhazy after her recent and considerably darker role in The Catered Affair. She puts a fresh stamp on the role of the romantically aggressive taxi driver. Andrea Martin's so hilariously chews up the scenery as a way with over the top Madame P. Dilly that at one point Jessica Lee Goldyn could barely contain her own giggles.
Michael Cumpsty, whose mellifluous speaking voice has lately worked well in musicals like Sunday in the Park With George, is a fine Pitkin W. Bridgework. His role is relatively minor but he takes his "I Understand" to a full throttle solo in which he finally declares that he doesn't understand Julyana Soelistyo is adorably funny in the even smaller role of Hildy's sneezing roommate Lucy Schmeeler
I could go on, but you get the idea. Count yourself among New York's luckiest if you nabbed a ticket for one of the seven performances.
Note: If you saw the original, you'll see that a few songs have been eliminated and/or reorganized, but overall, the best of the show is intact.
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ON THE TOWN Music by Leonard Bernstein Book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green Based on an idea by Jerome Robbins Directed by John Rando Choreographed by Warren Carlyle Cast: Tony Yazbeck (Gabey), Christian Borle (Ozzie), Justin Bohon (Chip), Jessica Lee Goldyn (Ivy), Leslie Kritzer (Hildy Esterhazy), Jennifer Laura Thompson (Claire DeLoone), Andrea Martin (Madame P. Dilly), Michael Cumpsty (Pitkin W. Bridgework), Julyana Soelistyo (Lucy Schmeeler) Ensemble: Lawrence Alexander, Andrea Beasom, Kristine Bendul, Tanya Birl, Angie Canuel, John Carroll, Rachel Coloff, Michael Cusumano, Susan Derry, Emilee Dupré, Autumn Hurlbert, Ryan Jackson, Mary MacLeod, Monica L. Patton, Adam Perry, Steve Schepis, Geno Segers, Charlie Sutton, Kevin Vortmann, Price Waldman, J.D. Webster and Ashley Yeater. Sets by John Lee Beatty Costumes by Martin Pakledinaz Lighting by Clifton Taylor Sound by Tom Morse New York City CenterWest 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues), www.nycitycenter.org Tickets: $95 to $25 Performance Schedule: November 19, 20, 21, 22, 2008 at 8:00 pm, November 22, 2008 at 2pm; November 23 at Sunday, November 23 at 6:30 pm On The Town Song List Act One I Feel Like I'm Not Out of Bed Yet / Geno Segers, Price Waldman, Kevin Vortmann and J. D. Webste New York, New York/ Christian Borle, Justin Bohan, Tony Yazbeck, and Girls Presentation of Miss Turnstiles / Kevin Vortmann, Jessica Lee Goldyn and Ensemble Come Up to My Place / Justin Bohan and Leslie Kritzer Carrried Away / Jennifer Laura Thompson and Christian Borle Lonely Town / Tony Yazbeck and Ensemble Carnegie Hall Pavane (Do, Re Do) / Jessica Lee Goldyn, Andrea Martin, Women Ensemble I Understand/ Michael Cumpsty Carrried Away (reprise)// Jennifer Laura Thompson and Christian Borle I Can Cook Too/ Leslie Kritzer Lucky to Be Me / Tony Yazbeck and Ensemble Times Square Ballet (Sailors on the Town)/ Company Act 2 So Long, Baby / Ensemble Women I Wish I Was Dead / Rachel Colott Congo Cabana/Orchestra I Wish I Was Dead / Rachel Colott Ya Got Me / Leslie Kritzer, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Christian Borle, Tony Yazbeck Slam Bang Blues/Orchestra I Understand (Reprise)/ Michael Cumpsty Imaginary Coney Island / Orchestra Pas de Deux/ Tony Yazbeck, Jessica Lee Goldyn, Ensemble Some Other Time /Jennifer Laura Thompson,, Justin Bohan, Leslie Kritzer, Christian Borle The Real Coney Island / J. D. Webster and Company Finale/ Charlie Sutton, Adam Perry, Michael Cusumano and Full Company |
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