Since the Broadway production of Curtains didn't tour (at least to Chicago), the production at Drury Lane Oak Brook is the regional premiere of the show and my first chance to see or hear it. Given this is a show created by Kander and Ebb (Cabaret, Chicago), with a book by Rupert Holmes (The Mystery of Edwin Drood) and originally conceived by Peter Stone (1776) I had high expectations for this show. Given the venerable 60 year history of the Drury Lane Theater and the experienced cast of Chicago veteran musical performers, I had high expectations for this production.
Both show and cast lived up to my expectations and provided an hysterical evening of murder, mystery, music and spoof. This is a show not only of the theater by set in the theater, as a Broadway-bound musical (Robbin' Hood) gets its out-of-town tryout in Boston. No one is disappointed when the faltering leading lady collapses on stage, but everyone is under suspicion when it turns out she was poisoned. I won't give away any more of the plot, because its zaniness and twists and turns deserve to be experienced first hand.
The book for this show is the brightest point, with more cutting remarks about the theater, actors, directors, critics and the audience than space or my memory will allow me to quote. Two veterans of the Chicago musical stage get the bulk of the zingers--Nancy Voigts (above left) as Carmen Berstein, and John Reeger as the stage director with British biting sarcasm, Christopher Belling. Both Ms. Voigts and Mr. Reeger are pitch perfect in their deliveries. On the musical front, the characters of Georgia Hendricks (portrayed by Christine Scherill, above right) and Aaron Fox (James Rank) take on much of the music. Mr. Rank is an accomplished baritone who works regionally and often crosses over into operetta or light opera; he deftly handles the bari-tenor ranged song "I Miss the Music."
The book for this show is the brightest point, with more cutting remarks about the theater, actors, directors, critics and the audience than space or my memory will allow me to quote. Two veterans of the Chicago musical stage get the bulk of the zingers--Nancy Voigts (above left) as Carmen Berstein, and John Reeger as the stage director with British biting sarcasm, Christopher Belling. Both Ms. Voigts and Mr. Reeger are pitch perfect in their deliveries. On the musical front, the characters of Georgia Hendricks (portrayed by Christine Scherill, above right) and Aaron Fox (James Rank) take on much of the music. Mr. Rank is an accomplished baritone who works regionally and often crosses over into operetta or light opera; he deftly handles the bari-tenor ranged song "I Miss the Music."
If I have one criticism of the show it is in the score. I felt as if there were not enough songs, and too often those songs were about the musical-within-the-musical rather than being character-based. That was particularly true for me in the first act finale "Thataway." While Ms. Sherill deliveres the song with every bit of gusto needed, the song doesn't hold any great meaning for her character and therefore it was just a song.
I loved all the only slightly inside jokes about the show-within-the-show spoofing Oklahoma, complete with sunset over the prairie and dream ballet with ladder and stairs to nowhere.
Curtains
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Book by Rupert Holmes
Conceived by Peter Stone
Opened in 2007
Cast: Nancy Voigts, Sean Fortunato, James Rank, Jim Corti, John Reeger, Paula Scarfano, Christine Sherill
Continues at The Drury Lane Oak Brook Theater in Oak Brook, Illinois through May 17
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Book by Rupert Holmes
Conceived by Peter Stone
Opened in 2007
Cast: Nancy Voigts, Sean Fortunato, James Rank, Jim Corti, John Reeger, Paula Scarfano, Christine Sherill
Continues at The Drury Lane Oak Brook Theater in Oak Brook, Illinois through May 17
2 comments:
Perhaps "Curtains" should have been your Musical Year finale.
Don't worry, I've selected my Year-end show that I hope others will see as appropriate.
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