Review Roundup: 90210! THE MUSICAL! at The Broadway Playhouse

90210! THE MUSICAL! is based on the popular television show of the same name which aired from 1990 to 2000. It plays at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place through September 17.

The show follows Brenda and Brandon Walsh, who have recently moved with their family from Minnesota to Beverly Hills, California. Brenda and Brandon attend West Beverly High School, where they meet a few of the kids in the school, and the drama that comes along with them.

The cast stars Ana Marcu as BrEnda Walsh (and others), Landon Swick as Brandon Walsh, Alan Trinca as Dylan McKay, Seth Blum as Steve Sanders (and others), Rob Riordan as David Silver, Alexis Kelley as Kelly Taylor, and Caleb Dehne as Tori Spelling.

The show was written and created by Bob and Tobly McSmith, directed and choreographed by Donald Garverick, with music composition by Assaf Gleizner, musical direction by Tegan Miller, and costume design by Carmen Mendoza.

Let's see what the critics had to say!

The Chicago Tribune, Kerry Reid: The play's high-energy cast knows how thoroughly ridiculous it all is and commits to it with endearing gusto. One just wishes that the material offered more than a nibble at the low-hanging fruit provided by the original... Still, if you're looking to revisit the halls of West Beverly with drinks in tow, the cast will make sure you're in good hands. Caleb Dehne's Tori Spelling (who is called "Tori Spelling" here, rather than Donna) tears it up as a pre-verbal hair-flipping princess who is too dumb to be mean... "90210: The Musical" offers sufficient fan service for those longing to reconnect with the "drama zombies" (as one song puts it) of the most famous ZIP code in television history.

Chicago Concert Reviews, Andy Argyrakis: In other words, this is an unapologetic, unauthorized parody in the purest sense that may not have the budget of a glossy blockbuster, but fits snuggly beside its peers and other recent visits from the "One-Man Star Wars Trilogy" and "Graeme Of Thrones." Time is short to catch Brenda and Kelly wearing the same dress to prom, Dylan boozing his way to oblivion over a deadbeat dad, Emily slipping Brandon some "U4EA" at a rave and tons of fun at the Peach Pit, but for anyone surrounding 60611 who can picture those original occurrences, it's as mandatory as 7pm on a Wednesday night right up until Y2K came along.

Chicagoland Musical Theatre, Josh Flanders: 90210: The Musical immediately explodes onstage with a fun energy and campy tone that reflects the love and irreverence writers Bob and Tobly McSmith have for their source material. Known for nostalgic sendups of cultural touchstones (Full House, Showgirls, The Kardashians), the McSmiths deftly heap on the melodrama and hyperbole for a journey through the history of America's first teen soap opera, complete with enough inside jokes and references to iconic moments in the TV show to please any aging 90210 fan.

Around The Town Chicago, Jeffrey Leibham: But diversity in programming is almost always a good thing, and this show is laugh-out-loud funny and mindless entertainment for a slightly different evening in the theater... The songs, composed by Assaf Gleizner, are cheery and bouncy and the main theme song is very catchy. The lyrics (which are uncredited but most certainly penned by Messrs. McSmith) are zany, wacky and irreverent, no surprise based on the book of this musical... If you are a rabid fan of "Beverly Hills 90210" you had better rush to get your tickets to see this madcap romp.

Urban Matter, Mira Tempkin: Ana Marcu as BrEnda Walsh and others is perfect with loud, powerful vocals. She even looks like Brenda. Seth Blum is hysterical as he dons different wigs and takes on a variety of characters, both male and female. But it's Caleb Dehne as Donna Martin who steals the show with his improv performance of the ditzy star...But it also makes you realize the universality of those high school years. All anyone ever wanted was to be accepted for who they were. And 90210: The Musical still rings true with lots more laughs!

Photo: 90210themusical.com

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