Review: Signature Theatre's ROAD SHOW Gets It Right

When Washingtonians last saw the Mizner brothers it was in a rudderless Kennedy Center production. Thirteen years later, the musical about the brothers and how they bounced from poor to rich, the Yukon to Boca Raton, seems to have finally found its perfect rendition. With Road Show, Signature Theatre once again proves why they are DC's leading interpreter of Stephen Sondheim's work.

Musical theatre lovers are well aware of Road Show's complicated journey to the stage. If you aren't, just read the protracted history on the program's title page.

Nonetheless, this production succeeds because of its laser like focus on the brother's story. Director Gary Griffin has given us an intimate and adventurous production. One that captures the venturesome spirit of the Mizners and the vaudevillian quality that defined the showmanship present in so many of their schemes. Scott Davis' western inspired, two-tiered set design also deserves credit for creating the right ambiance for which their story unfolds by having a large map wrapped in lights center stage.

On his deathbed, Papa Mizner (Dan Manning) tells his sons to explore and shape America. Inspired by his words, brothers Wilson (Noah Racey) and Addison (Josh Lamon) embark on their journey as the twentieth century begins. When their paths split after striking gold in Alaska, each brother seeks to chart his own course to success and the eventual American dream.

Sondheim's score is reminiscent of Assassins and Merrily We Roll Along. In the tone and narrative of Papa Mizner's "It's in Your Hands Now" you can hear elements from "The Ballad of Booth." For Road Show, the musical style is contemporary, but it contains elements of ragtime and jazz with musical riffs used to convey a new setting. Both adding to the intimacy and creating the vaudevillian feel is the talented Jacob Kidder on the piano. Rather than being in a pit or above the stage, as is the norm for a Signature production, Kidder is situated stage left for the entire production. A rotating cadre of ensemble members plays the odd violin or guitar, adding to the action onstage.

Lyrically, Sondheim once again proves why his lyrics are to be studied and treasured. Despite the show's numerous rewrites he's still able to achieve a remarkable level of introspection, humor and depth. He's at his best with Sherri Edelen's poignant "Isn't He Something," where Mama Mizner is marveling at Wilson's playboy lifestyle and in the songs that focus on Addison, the more nuanced of the brothers.

John Weidmen's book is efficient and sharp. It wastes no time in setting up the brother's motivation for their endeavors. He does something quite ingenious with the book by commenting on American's penchant for get-rich-quick schemes and the need to have the next "it" thing, bigger and flashier than everyone else. Road Show may be focused on the Mizners, but it also offers a searing portrayal of two men's search for the American dream.

The only real fault in the show is that it takes too long in setting up the climax. However, this is easily forgiven since this portion of the show is full of clever one-liners that reveal how poisonous the brother's relationship was, at times.

Signature's production features a top notch cast led by Lamon and Racey. Together, they evoke all the intricacies off a sibling relationship through the boom and bust of both their relationship and the American economy. Racey contains the right amount of swagger and sleaze needed to pull off Wilson's recklessness. He's at his best with songs like "The Game" where we learn that he doesn't want the prize, just the thrill of the chase.

Lamon gives a first-rate performance and is the backbone of this production. He's able to reveal the complexities of Addison's life from dutiful son to aspiring architect and detrimental lover. The fun in Weidman's book is that we see personality-wise how, despite their differences, these two men are related. Lemon's performance is the best embodiment of this.

The charming Matthew Schleigh portrays Hollis, Addison's wealthy business partner and romantic interest. He and Lamon are delightful together in the enchanting and romantic duet "The Best Thing That Ever Has Happened."

The rest of the cast plays the role of a Greek chorus, representing the public and various characters in the Mizner's lives. Griffin and Weidman expertly use them to keep the story moving while demonstrating the brothers impact on society. It's expertly filled with Signature regulars Bobby Smith and Erin Driscoll, among others. Several cast members, Stefan Kempski, Jason Labrador and Jake Mahler, previously starred in the Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Road Show, which is where this production originated.

Sondheim fans know that this show has been a passion of the composers for five decades. At the end of the show Wilson turns to Addison and says that one day, "We're bound to get it right."

Well they finally did.

Runtime is one hour and 40 minutes with no intermission

Road Show at Signature Theatre - 4200 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA 22206 - runs thru March 13. For more information and to buy tickets please call (703) 820 9771 or click here.

Photo: Noah Racey (Wilson Mizner) and Josh Lamon (Addison Mizner). Credit: Margot Schulman.

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