Broadway Blog - (Re)Enter Laughing

Stepping in for the great George S. Irving, who originated the role of David's erudite, hard-drinking, washed-up acting teacher when So Long, 174^th Street premiered and who recreated the performance when this mounting first opened, is not an enviable task.  Fortunately, another of Broadway's great character men, Bob Dishy, lends his own veteran panache to the role.  At 74 years of age his singing voice may not have its previous strength, but his faux-cultured manner and grim, deadpan reactions to his star pupil's ineptitude is just right.

James Morgan's simple settings and David Toser's period costumes have been snazzed up a bit since last time and, along with Chris Robinson's lighting (which provides occasional laughs itself) and Matt Castle's music arrangements for a 3-piece combo, they serve Ross' playful mounting very well.

I seriously doubt very many regional and amateur theatre companies ever considered So Long, 174^th Street after its brief Broadway run but I wouldn't be surprised if productions of Enter Laughing started popping up all over the country when the York is done with it.  This is smart, loveable musical comedy packed with very funny songs and performed by an exceptional cast.  Go and laugh yourself silly.

Photos by Carol Rosegg:  Top: Josh Grisetti and Company; Bottom:  Jill Eikenberry