Review: 42ND STREET-Sizzling-Scintillating-Spectacular

Were I a religious man, I would consider taking a moment to thank the gods of musical comedy. What the heck! I want you dear reader, to join me in thanking the musical comedy gods for sending us Natalie Buster, Maureen Veronica Illmensee, Melody Davi and Cody Walker. While we're at it, let's roll out a lush red carpet for Randi Kaye's achievement in making the part of Annie in 42^nd STREET, sparkle and shine as it never has before.

Sparkle and shine are certainly apt words for this production of the 2001 revival of Gower Champion's 1980 Broadway classic, 42^ND STREET. Thankfully, glitz, glitter and garlands of talent are not truly blinding. As visually assaulting (in the best sense of the word) and bursting with talent as this 42^ND STREET is, I do suspect I will regain full use of my eyesight by morning.

This show looks and feels dazzling and darn it, it's good to feel dazzled! A glorious ensemble has been assembled to bring us the fabulous fable of the fired chorus girl who gets to "go on" for the injured star, in the simple backstage story that is 42^ND STREET. This revival and its 1980 original are based on the 1933 film of the same name that starred Warner Baxter and Ruby Keeler (at the time, Mrs. Al Jolson--and the future star of the 1971 Broadway revival of the tap dancing extravaganza, No, No, Nannette.) I first saw the musical 6 days after it opened at the Winter Garden Theater on Broadway. The show was quite the media phenomenon upon opening and I just had to be there soon. This was one of only two times in my life that I was in standing room for a Broadway show (the other was the original Broadway production of THE ELEPHANT MAN.) Boy, that was one of the smartest things I ever did. Not only did I get to meet Harold Prince that night (I am not confused, he had nothing to do with 42^ND STREET-- he just happened to be

 seeing the show that night) but it very much restored my faith in musical theater.

At that time in my life, I never thought another Broadway musical could achieve the theatrical heights created by A CHORUS LINE. I remember thinking that 42^ND STREET was the first musical to intoxicate me since the Pulitzer Prize winning A CHORUS LINE. The production tonight of this descendant of the 1980 musical may not have been as intoxicating as that performance some 25 years ago. But, let's just say, I am glad I did not have to do the driving home tonight.

This 42^nd STREET has added some new songs from the trunk of Harry Warren and Al Dubin. The most notable is 'I Only Have Eyes For You.'   'With Plenty of Money and You,'  is also a welcome addition to the score. This compliments such classic songs as 'We're In the Money,'  'Shuffle Off to Buffalo,'  the title tune and 'Lullaby of Broadway.' My personal favorites from this score remain the breezy 'You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me' and the lovely 'About A Quarter To Nine.'

Roger Kirk's costumes are gorgeous and flow dreamily through the heaven sent set designs of Douglas W. Schmidt and Rob Bissinger. This provides the playground for the dizzying dance tour de force that is the epicenter of this show. You will not find more extraordinary theater dancing anywhere than was on display at the Kravis Center tonight. The dancers and dancing are about as grand as it gets. Much of Gower Champion's original brilliance is clearly on display here. His work in 42^ND STREET was as astonishing tonight as it was 25 years ago. The 2001 revival credits musical staging and new chorography to Randy Skinner, recreated here by Rick Conant. Whomever the credit goes to, once I saw the recreation of Mr. Champion's 'Shadow Waltz,' I knew we were safely in the hands of inspired talent. The production numbers are simply smashing and I often wished they had smashed us longer.

So 42^nd STREET is great, of course it is. Not that theater awards are the do all and end all but it did indeed win the Tony for Best Musical in 1980 (David Merrick said when accepting that year's Best Musical Tony--"What would the 1980 musical season have been without 42^ND STREET?"-- Mr. Merrick was not known for his modesty ) and for Best Revival of a Musical in 2001. Now, back to the current cast members.

Tom Frye is daffy and 'right on' as Bert and Ron Smith is fine as Julian Marsh. Hold onto your armrests when Melody Davi comes onstage. This beauty taps like a champion and sings with a brassy and bubbly belt. Her youthful exuberance is highly infectious. She is at once charming and sassy and simply splendid. The part of Maggie Jones doesn't always attract a lot of attention (although Mary Testa did reap a Tony nomination for the 2001 Broadway revival.) Maureen Veronica Illmensee is wonderful in the role. Her raw talent and sense of joy come through as loud and clear as her exciting singing performances, making this audience favorite's solo moments all too brief for this listener's ears.

The gifted and dangerously handsome Cody Walker makes the part of Billy Lawlor a star turn. He acts. He charms. He dances, he sings and he commands the stage. Mr. Walker is, at the very least, a triple threat performer, giving an award caliber performance here. Cody Walker is fabulous in 42^ND STREET. I suspect this young man will be wowing audiences for many, many years to come.

Natalie Buster, where have you been or where have I been? Do you realize how your performance tonight, highlighted by your enchanting and entrancing singing , enveloped and swept away your audience? This writer has never before seen a Dorothy Brock sumptuously and seductively owning the stage every time she appears. In 2001 Christine Ebersole won the Tony award for playing Dorothy Brock. Suffice is to say, had Natalie Buster, Dorothy Brocked on Broadway in 2001, she would currently be maintaining a bottle of Tony award polish in her residence. Bravo, Ms. Buster!

42^ND STREET's last performance at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach is October 16. Do not miss it.

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