Review Roundup: 42ND STREET at Drury Lane Theatre - What Did The Critics Think?

42ND STREET at the Drury Lane Theatre runs through January 2018! The show has a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, with music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Al Dubin.

Tap through this year's holiday season with the Tony Award winner for Best Musical, 42nd Street! In this beloved Broadway classic, Peggy Sawyer lands a bigger break in New York City than expected. When the leading lady injures her ankle, Peggy gets the chance of a lifetime to rise from showgirl to star. With showstopping tap numbers and hits such as "We're In The Money" and "Lullaby of Broadway," there's no question that 42nd Street will dazzle you this winter at Drury Lane Theatre.

The cast stars Suzzanne Douglas as Dorothy Brock, Gene Weygandt as Julian Marsh, Kimberly Immanuel as Peggy Sawyer, Phillip Attmore as Billy Lawler, Justin Brill as Bert Barry, Donica Lynn as Maggie Jones, Brandon Springman as Pat/Ensemble, Cedric Young as Abner Dillon, Erica Evans as Andy Lee/Ensemble, and Sierra Schnack as Annie/Ensemble.

The cast also includes Bret Tuomi, Time Brickey, Lamont Brown, Tristan Bruns, Joe Capstick, Joel Chambers, Andrea Collier, Gabriela Delano, Annie Jo Ermel, Rachel Marie LaPorte, Mandy Modic, Thomas Ortiz, Allie Pizzo, Marisa Reigle, Anthony Sullivan Jr., and Davon Suttles.

42ND STREET is directed by Michael Heitzman, with choreography by Jared Grimes, music direction by Roberta Duchak, scenic design by Collette Pollard, costume design by Emilio Sosa, lighting design by Mike Baldassari, sound design by Ray Nardelli, and music arrangements by Everett Bradley.

Let's see what the critics had to say!

Alan Bresloff, Around The Town Chicago: The cast that has been assembled for this production is filled with some of the best tap dancers I have watched on a stage. In the role of the director Julian Marsh is Chicago favorite Gene Weygandt, who has been thrilling audiences in town ( and New York) for years. The young male lead, Billy Lawler, is played by the amazing Phillip Attmore ( boy can he tap!). The star of the show, Dorothy Brock, is played by the vivacious Suzzanne Douglas.

Scott C. Morgan, The Daily Herald: What truly redeems Drury Lane's "42nd Street" are the fine performers. Led by Kimberly Immanuel as the cute-as-a-button chorine Peggy Sawyer and Gene Weygandt as the brusque director Julian Marsh, the cast rises above the sketchy characterizations of book writers Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble to give equal weight to both the musical's wisecracking humor and the high-stakes drama.

Hedy Weiss, The Chicago Sun-Times: Immanuel is a fresh-faced beauty with bedazzling footwork, a lovely voice and astounding endurance. Weygandt's savvy but always real portrayal of Marsh is hugely engaging. The luminous Attmore is a dancer of technical brilliance and panache who lights up the stage with his comical womanizing flair. Douglass has just the right hauteur and vocal distinction. The ever remarkable Lynn is full of sass and stunning vocal flair. But the real stars of "42nd Street" are the dancers ("the kids" as they're called).

Catey Sullivan, PerformInk: But Heitzman has amped up the score with squealing electric guitars, thumping bass beats and a thrashing percussion. Under music director Roberta Duchak and conductor Chris Sargent, the sound is now more "Jesus Christ Superstar" than Tin Pan Alley. While the switch is sometimes jarring, it adds an urgency and hyper-drive energy to classics including "We're in the Money," "42ndStreet" and "Shuffle off to Buffalo." The sonic assault is both unexpected and marvelous.

Photo: Drury Lane Theatre/Brett Beiner

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