BWW Reviews: HONEYMOON IN VEGAS Is Romance and Comedy Perfectly Paired at Paper Mill

Paper Mill Playhouse opened their 75th Anniversary Season with the World-Premiere production of Honeymoon in Vegas and audiences love it. The musical is based on the hit motion picture of the same title. With an all-star cast, clever staging, original music, and elaborate costuming, Honeymoon in Vegas is a musical theater delight that has just the right mix of romance and comedy.

Honeymoon in Vegas features music and lyrics by Tony Award winner, Jason Robert Brown. It is directed by Gary Griffin, with musical direction by Tom Murray, and choreography by Denis Jones. This group of talented individuals have worked together to create a treasure for the ages.

The show tells the story of Jack Singer who has a fear of marriage because of his mother's deathbed curse to "never get married." His loyal girlfriend, Betsy Nolan, travels with him to Las Vegas where they plan overcome his phobic reluctance to tie the knot. Enter, Tommy Korman, slick, debonair older man who frequents the "city of sin." Betsy reminds Tommy of his beloved deceased wife and he proceeds to devise an elaborate scheme to woo her away from the often nervous and bumbling Jack SingeR. Honeymoon in Vegas comes complete with a side trip to Hawaii.

Millburn audiences should not miss the chance to enjoy the abundant theatrical talent of Tony Danza as Tommy Korman. While Danza's fame as a big screen, theater and television star is well known, he also does a terrific "soft shoe." Rob McClure as Jack Singer is perfect as the anxious suitor. And, it is a thrill to see McClure parachute from the heights of the Paper Mill stage along with a pack of Elvis impersonators into the Vegas scene. Brynn O'Malley as Betsy is as charming and lovely as her singing.

Las Vegas culture is captured with numbers like When You Say Vegas, performed by the Ensemble and David Josefsberg as Tony Rocky. Matthew Salvidar deftly handles the role of Johnny Sandwich, Tommy Korman's much needed right-hand man. The show has clever comedic numbers including a scene with Catherine Ricafort as Mahi who attempts to get Jack to "Friki-Friki" when he is searching for Betsy in Hawaii.

The show's versatile ensemble contributes lively and entertaining numbers including, I love Betsy, performed with Jack and the song that will amuse anyone who has dealt with air travel issues, The Airport Song.

Honeymoon in Vegas should not be missed by metropolitan area audiences. It will run through October 27th and is playing 8 times a week, Wednesdays through Sundays. For tickets to the show and other upcoming performances at Paper Mill Playhouse, visit or call their box office at (973) 376-4343. You can also go online at www.papermill.org.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Paper Mill Playhouse