BWW Reviews: Music Circus Production Sweetens SUGAR

Sugar/book by Peter Stone/music by Jule Styne/lyrics by Bob Merrill/directed by Glenn Casale/Music Circus, Sacramento/through Sunday, July 28 only

Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond's screenplay for the 1959 cult classic film Some Like It Hot relied on one comedy gimmick, that two men, played by Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis, could escape from Chicago mobsters by donning drag and joining a girl band ...and convince everyone around them that they were really women. Could they pull it off? Wilder himself reputedly stated that he never thought the movie would be as successful as it became due to its meager plotline. But... with Marilyn Monroe alongside Lemmon and Curtis as Sugar Kane, the hilarious trio really blended uproariously...and the rest is history. When in 1972 Jule Styne and Bob Merrill collaborated with book writer Peter Stone to create Sugar, their Broadway musical flopped, probably for two reasons. Firstly, Styne's music, with the exception of one or two songs, is not memorable. Secondly, the book, too faithful to the screenplay, has tremendous holes for a stage play and just does not, no offense to composer Styne, come up roses.

The first act ends abruptly with no riveting finish and more of the same for Act II, which is far more crucial in establishing a well-thought-out musical play. You do not want to send the audience out to the streets without a splashy song and dance. After Osgood's last line to Daphne, "Well, nobody's perfect", there's a blackout just like in the film, instead of a great big musical finale. Disappointing! Apart from the flaws of the show, there's enough charisma between the characters to generate enthusiasm and plenty of enjoyment if the casting is right. Sacramento Music Circus, fortunately, is mounting a rarely produced Sugar this week only, through Sunday July 28, with a delicious ensemble under the super dynamic direction of Glenn Casale. Jason Graae as Jerry/Daphne, akin to the energizer bunny, could play play all the parts by himself, and his comic brilliance, including pacing and timing, could not be topped, in or out of a dress. He's sensational as in every performance I have seen him do for the past 16 years. Brent Barrett, as Joe/Josephine, handsome, exuding an engaging boyish charm, and with a beautiful vocal instrument - no, not the sax, but his own gorgeous voice, is sheer heaven and makes a stunning woman. A real find is Elizabeth Stanley as Sugar. She's beautiful and gives off just enough of the innocent sexuality that MM did so well, without going over the top, making Sugar her very own.

In the supporting cast, scene-stealers include Lenny Wolpe, hilarious as dirty.old.man Osgood, Alix Korey a real pistol as Sweet Sue, Ray DeMattis appropriately befuddled as put.upon Bienstock and topping one and all Brad Bradley as toe tapping Spats Palazzo. His tap numbers with the chorus boys playing the other mobsters are incredible, thanks to their skill and the rousingly rhythmic moves provided by choreographer John MacInnis. Dennis Castellano is the super musical director. Fine set pieces by Stephen Gifford and vibrant costuming by Mark Koss add colorful touches.

This sweet show may be more saccharine than sugar, for the music is surely not up to Jule Styne's superhits Gypsy and Funny Girl, but it is lots of fun. Music Circus' astounding cast and fluid production make it worthwhile entertainment.

(production photo credit: Charr Crail)

//www.californiamusicaltheatre.com/index.cfm?page=766140

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