Susan Stroman's charming revival of Meredith Willson's classic tuner begs the question: Can they make them like they used to? The answer is a resounding yes; this one's as old-fashioned as they come, but nearly irresistible. Ace choreographer-director Stroman doesn't really bother to update the material (thankfully, there's no Jesus Christ Superstar-style boneheaded ideas here) -- an admirable choice lately, as many revivals of late dilute the impact of what make them work in the first place. Wonderfully performed with some dazzling set pieces, The Music Man falters a bit in its second act when the romantic angle is beefed up, but anyone who couldn't thoroughly enjoy this production is a potato, or worse.
For those unfamiliar with the story, the action is set in small-town America, circa 1912 (River City, Iowa, to be exact), where an over-confident, handsome swindler named Harold Hill (Craig Bierko, in a remarkable Broadway debut) shakes up the town's static lives, especially by way of the children in the community. He becomes the town's musical director despite not being able to play a note, and they begin to warm up to his savvy. But a librarian named Marian (Rebecca Luker) is on to him and has a few surprises of her own. Meanwhile, Harold must evade a word-mincing Mayor (Paul Benedict) and his diva wife (Ruth Williamson, an absolute delight), who is one of the more enthusiastic products of Harold's charms and musical delight.
This is no Wild Party (which plays right across the street); you will not see bare breasts or men smooching here. Hell, you're lucky to see an exposed knee in this one, but it is a pleasant reminder of one of the reasons musicals were invented. At its best, there is a sense of wonder at hand (something missing from the recent revival of The Rainmaker, which has a strikingly similar plot), and musically, the truly fine score lifts it into that outer realm that many of the characters dream about, and without being too sugary about it, makes goodness palpable. When the mechanics of the story begin to show up in act two, staging's urgency weakens, especially in intimate scenes between Harold and Marian. Their helplessly-in-love demeanor does not seem enhanced, and therefore, some of the romance is stifled. Even so, Bierko and the comely Luker give triumphant portrayals. Luker is well cast and handles her first big number, "Goodnight, My Someone," with grace and exhibits the kind of old-school elegance that is now a rarity. Bierko, a Broadway first-timer only previously seen in forgettable film roles, is simply stunning. Sexy, generously receptive and surprisingly polished, he gives you the impression he's been at this game for years. His resemblance at times to the late Robert Preston (who originated this role) is jarring, but Bierko makes this role all his own. His every appearance creates a feeling of joy, and you're as infected by his enchanting nature as the characters are.
Stroman could have found a stronger correlation between the then-and-now aspects of the musical to give it a more memorable sheen, but her helming can hardly be faulted, and her choreography, though at times redundant, is still delectable. And I'm not going to spoil it for you, but the caboose detail of this production is a gem and not to be missed. It is just one amenity that ensures you leave the Neil Simon Theater with a smile on your face, whether you like it or not.
Opened:
April 27, 2000
Ended:
December 30, 2000
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Company/Producers:
Dodger Theatricals, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Williams, Elizabeth / Waxman, Anita & Kardana-Swinsky Productions & Levy, Lorie Cowen / Harris, Dede. Executive Producer: Dodger Management Group.
Theater Type:
Broadway
Theater:
Neil Simon Theater
Theater Address:
250 West 52nd Street
Running Time:
3 hrs
Genre:
Musical
Director:
Susan Stroman
Review:
Cast:
Andre Garner (train Conductor), Ralph Byers (Charlie Cowell), Craig Bierko (Harold Hill), Rebecca Luker (Marian Paroo), Liam Burke (Traveling Salesman, Resident of River City), Kevin Bogue (Traveling Salesman, Constable Locke & Resident of River City, understudy for Marcellus Washburn & Olin Britt), E. Clayton Cornelious (Traveling Salesman & Resident of River City), Michael Duran (Traveling Salesman & Resident of River City, understudy for Ewart Dunlop & Jacey Squires), Blake Hammond (Traveling Salesman & Jacey Squires), Michael McGurk (Traveling Salesman & Resident of River City, understudy for Tommy Djilas), Dan Sharkey (Traveling Salesman & Resident of River City, understudy for Olin Britt & Oliver Hix), John Sloman (Traveling Salesman & Oliver Hix, understudy for Harold Hill), Michael-Leon Wooley (Olin Britt), Jordan Puryear (Amaryllis), Martha Hawley (Maud Dunlop, understudy for Mrs. Paroo), Jack Doyle (Ewart Dunlop, understudy for Mayor Shinn), Paul Benedict (Mayor Shinn), Leslie Hendrix (Alma Hix, understudy for Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn), Tracy Nicole Chapman (Ethel Toffelmier), Max Casella (Marcellus Washburn), Clyde Alves (Tommy Djilas), Katherine McGrath (Mrs. Paroo), Michael Phelan (Winthrop Paroo), Ruth Williamson (Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn), Kate Levering (Zaneeta Shinn), Ann Whitlow Brown (Gracie Shinn), Ann Brown (Mrs. Squires), Cameron Adams (Resident of River City, understudy for Gracie Shinn), Sara Brenner (Resident of River City & understudy for Amaryllis, Zaneeta Shinn & Gracie Shinn), Chase Brock (Resident of River City, understudy for Tommy Djilas), Ellen Harvey (Resident of River City, understudy for Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn, Mrs. Paroo, Alma Hix & Maud Dunlop), Mary Illes (Resident of River City, understudy for Marian Paroo), Robbie Nicholson (Resident of River City), Ipsita Paul (Resident of River City, understudy for Ethel Toffelmier), Pamela Remler (Resident of River City), Lauren Ullrich (Resident of River City, understudy for Winthrop Paroo & Amaryllis), Travis Wall (Resident of River City, understudy for Winthrop Paroo). Standbys: Jim Walton (Harold, Marcellus, Charlie). Swings: Jennie Ford (also understudy for Zaneeta Shinn), Cynthia Leigh Heim (also understudy for Marian Paroo, Mrs. Squires & Alma Hix); Jason Snow, Jeff Williams (also understudy for Charlie Cowell, Oliver Hix & Ewart Dunlop).
Technical:
Choreography: Susan Stroman; Scenery Design: Thomas Lynch; Costume Design: William Ivey Long; Lighting Design: Peter Kaczorowski; Sound Design: Jonathan Deans; Production Supervisor: Steven Zweigbaum; Casting: Jay Binder; Wigs & Hair Design: Paul Huntley; Musical Supervision & Direction: David Chase; Orchestrations: Doug Besterman; Dance & Incidental Music Arrangements: David Krane; Musical Coordinator: John Miller; Technical Supervisor: David Bradford; Marketing Consultant: Margery Singer; Press Reps: Boneau/Bryan- Brown; Associate Choreographer: Tara Young; Associate Director: Ray Roderick; Conductor: David Chase; Associate Conductor & Assoc. Music Director: Rob Berman; Assist. Conductor: James Baker. Musicians: Trombones: Dick Clark, Kenneth Finn; Bass Trombone & Tuba: Matthew Ingman; Trumpets: Danny Cahn, John Dent, Wayne J. du Maine; French Horn: Chris Komer; Woodwinds: Andrew Sterman, Tony Brackett, Chuck Wilson, Rick Heckman & Mark Thrasher; Violin: Paul Woodiel; Cello: Sarah Carter; Drums: David Ratajcak; Percussion: James Baker; Bass: Richard Sarpola; Harp: Grace Paradise; Piano: Rob Berman; Company Manager: Kimberly Kelley; Stage Manager: Rolt Smith; Dance Captains: Liam Burke, Jennie Ford; Assoc. Costume Design: Martha L. Bromelmeier; Asssoc. Sound Design: Peter Hylenski; Synthesizer Programmer: Bruce Samuels.
Awards:
2000 Astaire Award: Choreography (Susan Stroman, co-honored for <I>Contact</I>) & Best Male Dancer (Clyde Alves). <BR>2000 Outer Critics Circle: Outstanding Direction Of A Musical (Susan Stroman - co-honored for directing <I>Contact</I>). <BR>2000 Tony: Nomination for Best Musical Revival.
Other Critics:
AISLE SAY David Spencer + / ASSOCIATED PRESS Michael Kuchwara ! / BACKSTAGE David A. Rosenberg ! / DANBURY NEWS-TIMES Chesley Plemmons ! / HOLLYWOOD REPORTER Frank Scheck ! / NEWSDAY Linda Winer ! / NEWSWEEK Jack Kroll ! / NEW YORKER Nancy Franklin ! / NY DAILY NEWS Fintan O'Toole + / NY POST Donald Lyons ! / NY TIMES Ben Brantley + / PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER Clifford A. Ridley + / TIME OUT NY Sam Whitehead ! / TOTALTHEATER David Lefkowitz + / USA TODAY Alysa Gardner ! / WOR RADIO David Richardson ! / VARIETY Charles Isherwood + / VILLAGE VOICE Michael Feingold +
Miscellaneous:
Critic Jason Clark is the co-creator and theater editor of Matinee Magazine (www.matineemag.com). His reviews are reprinted here by permission of the author and the website.
Critic:
Jason Clark
Date Reviewed:
April 2000
