Posts Tagged ‘meredith willson’

Beth Malone Shines in Stellar Revised “Molly Brown” at the Muny

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , on July 24, 2017| Leave a Comment »

The Unsinkable Molly Brown
Lyrics and Music by Meredith Willson, Book and Additional Lyrics by Dick Scanlan
Based on the Original Book by Richard Morris
Musical Adaptation by Michael Rafter
Direction and Choreography by Kathleen Marshall
The Muny
July 21, 2017

Beth Malone (Center) and Cast
Photo: The Muny

I wasn’t around when The Unsinkable Molly Brown originally debuted on Broadway in 1960.  In fact, I wouldn’t be born until years later. Still, sitting at the Muny on a hot, humid Friday night, I felt like I was witnessing something I never thought I’d be able to see–the performance of a new, classic musical from the Golden Age of Broadway. This new, highly revised version of the show has been several years in the making, and several of the old familiar songs are still there, but still, with this production at the Muny, there’s this unmistakable air of something new, and it’s wonderful.

The only version of this show I had seen before was a high school production many years ago, but it doesn’t really matter what version of this show you may have seen, because this one is different. It’s a total re-imagining of the story, still focusing on Margaret “Molly” Brown (Beth Malone), but with new songs from composer Meredith Willson’s catalog of lesser-known works. There’s an entirely new book, as well, with new characters and a story that tracks more with Brown’s real life, even though for show purposes she’s still “Molly” here–apparently, she went by “Maggie” in real life. Anyway, when we first see Malone’s plucky, feisty Molly, she’s an uneducated but highly ambitious young woman newly arrived in the mining town of Leadville, Colorado, although she really wants to be in Denver, pursuing her dream of becoming rich and influential. Still, a series of events keeps her in Leadville, where she gets to know a group of miners including the stubborn and persistent J.J. Brown (Marc Kudisch), who eventually becomes her husband. She also meets Julia (Whitney Bashor), the young English widow of a miner who was killed in an accident, as well as the miner’s three friends Erich (David Abeles), Arthur (Paolo Montalban), and Vincenzo (Justin Guarini).  The story then follows Molly as she helps J.J. make his fortune in gold mining, and as she becomes an active member of Denver society and an activist for several causes. Of course, the story of her surviving the sinking of the Titanic is also here, but so much else is different. It’s a whole new show, completely in the spirit of an “old” show.

For anyone who hasn’t seen the “original” Molly Brown, I’m convinced anyone seeing it now would think this was the original. The beauty of using “new” songs written by Meredith Willson rather than having a new composer try to write in his style is that the songs–even with modified lyrics–fit right into the show, in terms of tone and style, and they sound completely authentic. The new book makes a lot more sense than the old book, as well, in that while it still contains fictional elements, it’s more in tune with the real life of the woman on whom it is based. With this production, we get to see Molly as a philanthropist and activist, as she was in real life, and the tensions between her and her husband are given more of a realistic basis. Also, the new characters fit into the story well, and it doesn’t seem revisionist at all. It seems like the show should always have been like this, and in overall atmosphere it’s very much a classic musical. This is a remarkable feat for all involved.

Also remarkable is the excellent cast that has been assembled here, and especially the casting of the title role. The term “star quality” gets thrown around a lot in theatre, but I can’t think of a better term to use when describing Beth Malone’s performance. The minute she steps on the vast Muny stage, she owns it. This is a story that spans more than 20 years of Molly’s life, and Malone convincingly navigates the character’s growth over the years, from young, uneducated and spunky, to older, wiser, more educated and still spunky. And Malone can sing and dance with energy and strength, as well. Her combative but affectionate chemistry with the excellent Kudisch as J. J. is also a highlight of this production. There’s a wonderful supporting cast as well, led by the smooth-voiced Guarini, Abeles, and Montalban as Molly’s and J.J.’s miner friends, and by Bashor as the earnest, also strong Julia. There’s a great, energetic ensemble, as well, and the miners’ ensemble at the beginning is especially notable, with powerful voices and athletic dancing. Director/choreographer Kathleen Marshall’s choreography is dynamic and memorable as well, and the ensemble performs it with verve and gusto.

Molly’s world, from Leadville to Denver, to Europe and beyond, is well-realized in the production design here, with Derek McLane and Paul Tate dePoo III’s bold and colorful set design providing an excellent backdrop to the story. There are also bright and detailed costumes by Paul Tazewell and believable wigs by Leah J. Loukas. Rob Denton’s lighting, and Nathan W. Scheuer’s video designs also contribute to the overall look and atmosphere of this rousing, energetic production. There were a few minor sound issues on opening night, but I expect these will be dealt with as the show continues to run. The musical arrangements by music director Michael Rafter–well played by the superb Muny Orchestra–are also excellent, contributing to the overall classic Broadway vibe of this production.

Possibly because of the weather this week, they could have called this Molly Brown “Unmeltable”. Still, despite the extreme heat in St. Louis this summer, if the Muny’s latest production  of The Unsinkable Molly Brown can be defined by one word, that word has to be “unmissable”.  With a strong ensemble and truly stellar lead performance, this is a spectacular show that is worth sitting through the weather to see.

Beth Malone, Marc Kudisch
Photo: The Muny

The Muny is presenting The Unsinkable Molly Brown in Forest Park until July 27, 2017.

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Muny’s “Music Man” Entertains, but Not Without Some Trouble

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , on July 7, 2016| Leave a Comment »

The Music Man
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Meredith Willson, Story by Franklin Lacey
Directed by Rob Ruggiero
Choreographed by Chris Bailey
The Muny
July 5th, 2016

Joseph Torello, J.D. Daw, Ben Nordstrom, Adam Halpin, Hunter Foster Photo: The Muny

Joseph Torello, J.D. Daw, Ben Nordstrom, Adam Halpin, Hunter Foster
Photo: The Muny

The Music Man, ideally staged, is a great big, delightfuly corny slice of old-fashioned Americana. It’s been performed at the Muny many times, and this is the third production I’ve seen there. This year, although it’s still a bright, colorful, energetic show with some great technical elements and truly wonderful choreography, it’s somewhat marred by some awkward casting and some bizarre directorial choices.

The story is a familiar one to many theatregoers. Professor Harold Hill (Hunter Foster) is a traveling salesman and smooth-talking con artist who arrives in River City, Iowa with the aim of swindling the townspeople with grand dreams of a boys’ band, and then running off with their money. What Harold doesn’t count on, though, is that this time he will get attached, particularly to earnest young librarian Marian Paroo (Elena Shaddow) and her family, including her feisty Irish mother (Liz McCarthy) and shy little brother Winthrop (Owen Hanford), who is self-conscious because he speaks with a lisp. The town is full of larger-than-life characters, such as the self-absorbed, bumbling Mayor Shinn (Mark Linn-Baker) and his gossipy wife Eulalie (Nancy Anderson). There’s also Harold’s old friend and somewhat reformed accomplice, Marcellus Washburn (Todd Buonopane), and the bickering school board members (Joseph Torello, J.D. Daw, Ben Nordstrom, and Adam Halpin), who through Harold’s influence become a frequently singing barbershop quartet. What Harold doesn’t know is that rival salesman Charlie Cowell (Michael James Reed) is out to expose Harold’s scheme, although what Charlie doesn’t know is that Harold isn’t so sure he wants to go through with the scam anymore.

This is a show that basically demands ideal casting for its title role, and unfortunately the Muny’s production doesn’t get that. Foster, who was outstanding a few years ago as the Pirate King in Pirates! or, Gilbert and Sullivan Plunder’d, is miscast as the fast-talking Hill. He noticeably struggles with the rhythm on iconic songs like “Trouble” and “76 Trombones” and stumbles over the lyrics in “The Sadder But Wiser Girl” and “Marian the Librarian”. He also doesn’t quite project that sheer spellbinding energy that is essential for Harold Hill, although his performance does improve in Act 2. Shaddow, as Marian, gives a fine if somewhat laid-back performance as Marian, and she has a great voice, although the chemistry between her and Foster is lacking. The supporting players fare better, with truly excellent comic performances from the amiable Buonopane as Marcellus, and from Linn-Baker and Anderson as the Shinns. The real stand-outs, though, are Torello, Daw, Nordstrom, and Halpin who are truly marvelous as the school board-turned-quartet. There’s also an outstanding ensemble and first-rate dancing on production numbers like “76 Trombones”, “Marian the Libriarian”, and “Shipoopi”.

Visually, the show looks great. There’s a wonderful nostalgic set by Michael Schweikardt that takes full advantage of the Muny stage’s turntable, providing an excellent effect in “76 Trombones” as the ensemble appears to march throughout the town. There are also excellent, colorful period costumes by Amy Clark, superb lighting by John Lasiter, and strong video design by Rob Denton.

This is a wonderful looking show, with some great comic performances and a great ensemble, although some of the alterations to the script are puzzling. For instance, changing the timeline so that Harold arrives the week of Flag Day instead of the 4th of July is not adequately explained. It seems to have been done for no reason other than that the show is being performed during 4th of July week so that the Act 2 “Ice Cream Sociable” can be the “4th of July Sociable”. There’s no apparent “story” reason for the change, and it just comes across as awkward. Still, if you’re looking for a big, bright, musical show with a great old-fashioned score and some incredible dancing, then the Music Man is sure to entertain. It’s not an ideal production, but it does have its moments.

Cast of The Music Man Photo: The Muny

Cast of The Music Man
Photo: The Muny

The Muny is presenting The Music Man in Forest Park until July 11, 2016.

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Not the Usual Music Man

Posted in USA Theatre, tagged , , on August 20, 2012| 1 Comment »

The Music Man

Book, Music and Lyrics by Meredith Willson

based on a story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey

Directed by Aaron Paschall

Choreographed by Ariel DeWitt

Curtains Up Theatre Company

Denver, Colorado

August 11, 2012

I had no idea what I was getting into when I saw this production of The Music Man, but I thought I did. I mean, it’s The Music Man.  Most people with even a moderate knowledge of musical theatre have heard of the The Music Man.  Many people (me included) saw the show performed at their high schools or local community theatres.  It’s one of the most performed classic musicals in America.  It’s a big show with a big cast, and even though I knew this production was by a small-ish theatre company I didn’t really expect it to be this small.  It’s so small that it would seem that the essence of the show–a tribute to small town Midwestern America by a man (Meredith Willson) who grew up there–might be diminished, but oddly even though the size of the production was reduced, the atmosphere was not, and in fact the more intimate nature of this production actually added a new perspective to the material that added to my enjoyment of the show.

The set by Eric Franklin is simple but effective, with benches and movable set pieces that are changed around to suggest various settings such as a train car, a front porch, a school gymnasium and a library.  The cast doubles as the stage crew, in fact.  The costumes (by Tammy Franklin) are meticulously accurate, and the 1912 atmosphere is set very well even with the minimal scenery.  For such a tiny production, the attention to detail in terms of setting is quite remarkable, and it lends an air of authenticity to the proceedings.

The intimacy of the production allows for a conversational feel to numbers such as “Rock Island”, which also—in a clever bit of staging that I had never seen before—allows Harold Hill (Darren Chilton) to speak his own words of introduction, unbeknownst to the salesmen around him.  The salesmen are played by the same actors who turn up later in the show as the quartet and townspeople, and that works very well.  Other adjustments to the staging included having the Paroo house scenes entirely staged on their front porch, with piano student Amaryllis offstage during “The Piano Lesson” and most of “Goodnight My Someone”.  This staging makes the songs more of a showcase for Marian and her mother.  Other settings such as the footbridge and the ice cream social work very well with this small set, and the overall feel of the piece is one of familiarity, like the audience is invited to experience this small town and get to know these characters in a more direct way than with some of the larger productions.  Also, the choreography of some of the usually-larger numbers such as “76 Trombones” and “Shipoopi” has been adapted to the space and cast size to make these numbers focus much more on the relationships between the characters than large-scale spectacle.  I especially loved the “Marian the Librarian” sequence, in which the focus has been directed almost entirely on the elaborate “cat and mouse” game between Harold and Marian.  It’s very well staged and well danced by all of the players.

The performances are “smaller” than usually seen in this show, as well.  Some characters who are larger than life caricatures in most productions—like Mayor Shinn (Charles Kolar) and his wife, Eulalie (Tammy Franklin)—are brought more down to Earth in this production.  They are still comic characters, and very well-played, but these are characters that seem more accessible somehow, like people you would actually meet in small town America in 1912.  Nothing is cartoonish here, and it lends a sense of realism to the show that isn’t always there in larger productions.  The smaller scale also lends a sense of  camaraderie among the townspeople that adds to the authenticity–this a very believable small town with townspeople who all know each other.  It’s not difficult to imagine that these people are familiar with all the goings-on in the town.

The show’s central relationship, between con man Professor Harold Hill and town librarian and music teacher Marian Paroo (Natasha Gleichmann) is ideally represented here.  Chilton is a suitably charming, smooth-talking Hill, and Gleichman lends an air of toughness to Marian in the earlier scenes that makes her later softening even more effective.  The pair’s chemistry is very good, especially in the second act as their relationship grows, such as in the wonderful moment just after “Shipoopi” in which it becomes clear that Harold, who had previously seemed so sure of himself, is actually starting to lose track of his “game” and fall for Marian’s charms.  Chilton is appropriately winning in songs such as “Trouble” and “76 Trombones”, and Gleichmann with her clear, strong soprano, is in excellent voice on “Goodnight My Someone”, My White Knight” and “Till There Was You”.

Other stand-outs in the cast include Charles Burden in a winning turn as Harold Hill’s erstwhile partner-in-crime, Marcellus Washburn, and Malissa Silvey as Marian’s mother Mrs. Paroo.  Both show excellent comic abilities and great stage presence. There are also some strong performances by the younger cast members including Caylin West as Amaryllis, Carter Novinger as Marian’s brother Winthrop, and Cole Franklin and Lizzi Bennett as teenage sweethearts Tommy and Zaneeta.  The barbershop quartet (Ian Post-Green, Glenn Brackett, David Novinger and Aaron Paschall) are charming and in great voice, and the Pick-a-Little Ladies (Kathy DeWitt, Jennifer Novinger, Jaclyn O’Hara and Amanda Pouiliot) lend excellent support as well.

That all said, there were a few slight issues with line flubs here and there and somewhat clunky set changes and a backstage mishap with that resulted in a (very well-covered) trio performance of “Lida Rose”.  There were also a few projection issues with some of the younger cast members, but overall it was a thoroughly entertaining, very different production of a time-honored classic show.  The whole perspective of the show seemed to have been shifted toward highlighting the relationships between the characters, particularly Harold and Marian, and Marian and her family.  It’s a family show, not just for a family audience but there was a real sense of connection among the cast and crew that added real charm to this production.  I’m glad I got the chance to see it, and if you’re in Denver in the next few weeks I highly recommend checking it out.

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