Review: 42ND STREET at the Capitol Theatre is Dynamic and Dazzling

The new national tour of 42ND STREET, originating at the Capitol Theatre before beginning its tour route across the country, presents a dynamic, fresh-faced cast tapping its way through a visually striking production.

42ND STREET (book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, music by Harry Warren, lyrics by Al Dubin) is the archetypal backstage musical. Set in the 1930s, it features the usual suspects: the gruff but lovable director, Julian Marsh; the attractive leading man, Billy Lawlor; the entitled star, Dorothy Brock; and the plucky chorus girl, Peggy Sawyer. The behind-the-scenes drama provides a compelling backdrop that unfurls behind the entertaining, if sometimes superfluous, musical numbers.

Brought to life by the team that helmed the 2001 Tony-winning Best Revival of 42ND STREET--book writer Mark Bramble as director and Randy Skinner as choreographer-- the same crowd-pleasing palette of dance and costumes (from Tony Award winner Roger Kirk) are applied to this new production. Tony-winning set designer Beowulf Boritt and Tony-winning lighting designer Ken Billington have provided an impressive new canvas that evokes the era while somehow simultaneously opening up and focusing the action. The result is a wonderful whirlwind of constantly changing scenes enveloping a parade of dazzling choreography and costumes.

The entire cast does a marvelous job honing in on the singing and speech patterns of the era, accurately depicting the world of 1930s musicals. Even more impressive is the laser-sharp precision of the dance numbers, with every leg and arm always perfectly placed and every tap perfectly precise.

The acting sometimes lacks finesse and a strong emotional connection. However, the casting is strong, especially for the leads, who embody the characters well. These include relative newcomers Matthew Taylor as Julian Marsh, Blake Stadnik as Billy Lawlor, Kaitlin Lawrence as Dorothy Brock, and Caitlin Ehlinger as Peggy Sawyer.

42ND STREET plays the Capitol Theatre for a limited engagement through Sunday, September 27, 2015. For tickets, call ArtTix at 801-355-ARTS (2787) or visit www.arttix.org.

Photo Credit: L-R Tricia DeSario, Blake Stadnik (Billy), and Lucia Foster

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