Skip Kennon's music and lyrics are good, and appropriately stuck in the
1980s. Highlights are Otis' chromatic
"Things Change", Alex's wish-song "Somebody Who Goes Somewhere And Does
Something", the teen-movie-pastiche "Spring Break", and Louis' show-stopping
soft-shoe "Zandozan". "Love is Like
Water", sung by Alex's mom, Maggie, Maggie's Granny (Janet Carroll, who is
certainly not old enough to be a grandmother), and Elaine (Mary Ellen Ashley),
is a strange number, unsure whether to be a ribald comic tune with watery
double entendres or a ballad about the vagaries of love. Centauri's "To Be a Hero" is appropriately
sappy.
All of the music is synthesized, which is appropriate at
times, though perhaps a misstep for a story that intends to show the humanity
of the characters. One of the thrilling
moments of the original movie was hearing the tinny videogame music translated
into the movie's score. And the midi sound
of the banjo hoedown leitmotif that accompanied the frame story was somewhat
grating. The music also was pre-recorded
(no musicians were listed in the program), which seemed to rob it of humanity
as well- the volume was a bit low the night I saw it, which brought the energy
down (though I understand a few of the NYMF shows are having sound issues, and I was there opening night).
The cast is great- Danny Binstock is perfect as Alex and
hilarious as the Beta Unit. Ryan Jesse
is great as Blake, Alex's earthbound nemesis, but doesn't summon up the
petulant insanity required to pull Zur over the top where he needs to be- he's
just not very frightening. Adinah
Alexander is touching as Alex's harried mother.
Joseph Kolinski is amusing as Centauri, though he doesn't have Robert
Preston's magical charisma (though in his defense, who does?), he does a solid
job in the role, especially in the more touching moments.
The supporting cast is great. I especially enjoyed Jonathan
Richard Sandler, Natalie Hall, Lauren Marcus, and Jesse JP Johnson*.
It's odd- it seems at times that no one in the cast has
actually seen the film, as many of the classic lines were thrown
away. While that's a valid choice, in that a)
actors often stay away from seeing other actors in a role, wishing to create their character themselves, and b) in the frame story the trailer park denizens have
only Alex's stories to go on in creating their roles, it's somewhat
disappointing. For a show based on a
cult film, it seems the actors and director (Elizabeth Lucas) didn't honor the
rabid fans who go in expecting certain things.
Still, the show was highly entertaining, and I'd certainly
recommend it.
* who keeps threatening to get naked in "Spring Break", but
sadly never does. I was hoping for a
quick butt-shot, at least.
The Last Starfighter
The Theater at St. Clements
423 W. 46th
street (between ninth and tenth avenues)
Remaining performances:
Wednesday, Oct 3rd at 9:00 pm
Friday, Oct 5th at 1:00 pm
Friday, Oct 5th at 5:00 pm
Saturday, Oct 6th at 9:00 pm
Sunday, Oct 7th at 4:30 pm
