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Peer Reviews Capture the
Moment with 42nd Street Entire contents are copyright © 2007 A.S. Waterman. All rights reserved.
A treasure located in beautiful Iroquois Park, Music Theatre Louisville springs to life each summer with outstanding entertainment in a delightful outdoor setting, bringing together the finest of area talent. Staging the song-and-dance extravaganza 42nd Street is a challenge for even the strongest year-round troupe, especially given the show's tremendous success in Broadway and touring productions. However, Music Theatre Louisville mounts a production that easily holds its own. Louisville takes pride in its independent theatrical productions, and it has every reason to be proud of this one. First released as a film in 1933, 42nd Street contrasts the glamour of the musical stage with the harsh realities of backstage life amplified by the dark desperation of The Great Depression. This was also the first major work of spectacle-choreographer Busby Berkeley, as well as the movie that saved Warner Bros. from bankruptcy, perhaps changing the history of entertainment. The movie became a legendary success, as did the subsequent launch as a Broadway musical in 1980. xx
The story line is largely superficial. From the moment chorus-girl-wannabe Peggy Sawyer arrives from Allentown but misses the audition, the outcome is never really in doubt -- yet the audience still hangs on every word, gasps at every dance and thrills to the moment. The power of the show's wonderful music, costumes and choreography keeps fans coming back again and again. Given the right cast and a solid orchestra, they will get their reward. Music Theatre Louisville offers up a well-directed and choreographed rendition, brought home to us in the open air. The cast relishes every moment on stage, radiating the sheer joy and enthusiasm that so many touring productions have lost. Choral numbers are beautifully executed, with attention to detail and faithful recreation of the mannerisms and style of the 1930s. Individual performances range from good to excellent. Polished veteran Peter Holloway (familiar to musical theatre fans for his recent roles in CenterStage's My Fair Lady and Guys and Dolls) gives a commanding performance as producer Julian Marsh, while Tyler Bliss as Billy Lawlor (recently seen as Joe in Derby Dinner Playhouse's Oklahoma!) impresses with his fine singing and dancing. Otterbein College student Claire Longest is appealing as Peggy Sawyer, making a credible transition from starving innocent to inevitable star. The clear standout, however, is Abigail Bailey Maupin, who offers a new twist on the role of prima donna and theatrical has-been Dorothy Brock, the leading lady that Marsh's financial backer has foisted on him. With her phenomenal singing voice and command of nuance and expression, Maupin shows us a Dorothy Brock who deserved every moment of her fame, while also managing to humanize Dorothy -- no easy task in a role largely written as one-dimensional. Maupin brings life and complexity to the character while remaining faithful to the role (except, perhaps, in failing to convince us that Dorothy's striking beauty has started to fade). On opening night, a few things reminded us that we were in a Louisville amphitheatre rather than on Broadway: microphone glitches; people dressed in shorts and eating ice cream; an occasional moth catching the glimmer of the spotlight and upstaging a performer. Yet the venue's casual and very Louisville atmosphere is part of its charm, as it makes fine productions accessible to all. This offering does have one thing in common with touring productions, however -- it will soon be gone. Don't miss this chance. Revel in the sunset. Have some ice cream. Above all, experience one of Louisville's treasures and Broadway's masterpieces.
42nd Street
July 6 - 15, 2007
Posted July 8, 2007
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