Closer than Ever, lyrics and direction by Richard Maltby Jr. and music by David Shire, is a musical revue without a through line of specific characters. The theme is: the foibles of romance. Songs about love -- finding it, losing it, missing it, are full of ironic comments on marriage and the tribulations of relationships. Each song is about different people, each with his or her own insecurities and neuroses, which we recognize, and so are amused by the universality, and by the cleverness of the thoughts, the words and the fine performances, which are filled with good comic schtick as well as sentiment.
The lyrics are smart, literate, with cute rhymes and verses all performed by four fine singers: Jacquelyn Piro Donovan, George Dvorsky, Julia Murney and Sal Viviano, accompanied by sensitive ivory-tickling at the piano by Andrew Gerle. There are group numbers like one on exercising that are a fun expansion of the vision.
Set design by James Morgan is simple and clean, and specific area lighting by Kirk Bookman enhances all. Closer Than Ever is a pleasant divertissement with charm, humor and excellent performances.
