New York Theatre, Scene Thru LA Sunglasses
By Michael Jordan
Jekyll & Hyde
Lion King
On the Town
Parade
De La Guarda
R & J
Symphonie Fantastique
The Los Angeles theatre scene cannot compare to New York's. However,
residents of both cities who produce multimillion dollar entertainment
projects all have the capacity to overlook some of the most simple and
basic problems, which only knowledgeable experience and no dollar
figure can solve. Hence, Hollywood meets Broadway. Nevertheless, the
Big Apple challenge to live event producers can bring out the best.
Nothing can prepare one for the astoundingly creative design of The
Lion King, which nearly defies comparison. Through ingenious
inventions, director Julie Taymor's vision stretches the limits of
theatrical imagination to weave together marvelously her humanist
costume designs, Michael Curry and her remarkably resourceful
puppetry, and Garth Fagan's rich choreography. Lebo M. Mark Mancina,
Jay Rifkin, Taymor, and Hans Zimmer add enrapturing spiritual music to
the Elton John/Tim Rice score, capturing the attention of all ages. As
Simba, Jason Raize's inspiring voice and smart looks triumph, as does
Tom Hewitt playing the evil uncle Scar. Unfortunately, Samuel E.
Wright's overprepared acting scratches the role of Mufasa. However,
Tom Alan Robbins and especially Danny Rutigliano masterfully fuel
comedy as Pumbaa and Timon.
In another face of success, Steve Cuden, Frank Wildhorn, and Leslie
Bricusse's Jekyll & Hyde overcomes most of the difficulties inherent
in Robert Louis Stevensonšs novel. Despite some thin plot points and a
heavy number of ballads, the panoramic score celebrates the actor's
voices. This humanist version explores the medical experiment gone
awry, rather than rigid adherence to polarized concepts of good and
evil. Robert Cuccioli's mighty sound and versatile performance
captivates in the title roles. Luba Mason enchants singing, "Someone
Like You," while Christiane Noll's delicate soprano deftly soothes all
savage beasts.
The experience called De la Guarda: Villa Villa herds the standing
audience into a techno-organic mosh pit, where only an expansive sheet
of paper separates them from urban Tarzans above who drop balloons,
paint, and toys to create a tremulous overhead mural. Suddenly,
reckless acrobats burst through this flimsy protection and a naked
athlete on a bungie cord swoops in to snatch viewers from the crowd.
His prey flies with him into the air as ferocious drummers rumble and
scream in the periphery. The originality of Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey
Seller, David Binder, Arielle Tepper, and Daryl Roth's event makes up
for its lack of seasoned showmanship or direction.
Soon to trudge, Parade tells the true life story of a Northern Jew
falsely convicted of murdering a 14-year-old girl in the 1940's South.
The relationship between the defendant and his wife provides the only
compelling element of the tale, as they both overcome personal
liabilities to face this unyielding legal disaster. Jason Robert
Brown's derivative music, Alfred Uhry's sloppy construction of minor
characters, and various irrelevant subplots prevent Hal Prince's
latest conception from achieving success. Despite the script problems,
skillful Brent Carver and powerful Carolee Carmello provide excellent
protagonist performances. Kirk McDonald and Christy Carlson Romano
also show strength as the murder victim and her boyfriend.
Because of Leonard Bernstein's uncharacteristically weak score, On the
Town makes for a risky revival. Despite Comden & Green's keen lyrics,
Jerome Robbins' nearly plotless concept of three sailors on 24-hour
Manhattan shore leave relies heavily on the personalized comedy of the
actors. Sadly, Keith Young's textbook choreography nearly buries the
day trip, and only about half the cast comes through. Succinctly
leading the quick adventure, Lea DeLaria commandeers the stage and
establishes herself as an up-and-coming Broadway diva. It's about time
a bright lesbidyke with style joined the ranks of Merman, Channing,
and Garland. Also strong in the cast: Mary Testa bangs out villainous
laughter, Sarah Knowlton offers sincere fun, Jesse Tyler Ferguson
adeptly pairs DeLaria, and Chandra Wilson makes much of many small
roles.
In the deconstructionist R & J, four cute prep school boys explore
their repressed homosexuality by playing out the characters and scenes
of Shakespearešs Romeo and Juliet. While fairly creative, Joe
Calarco's overly choreographed, loud, minimalist production runs long
and fails to achieve his stated goal of realizing the dangerous
undercurrent in the story. While Los Angeles probably wouldnšt support
a run of this academic event, this interpretation has the thin quality
of a sit-com in a time slot opposite Must-See-TV. Of the four actors,
only understury Mark Rizzo shows expertise in characterization within
iambic scansion. However, Cesar Samoya makes a fetching "Juliet."
Symphonie Fantastique resides off-off Broadway. An underwater,
wordless puppet show, Basil Twist's fresh visual idea is only the
beginning of a much better but yet unproduced work. Little more than a
lava-lamp ballet, the addition of characters and a story would provide
the necessary audience interest.
Much thanks to all the friendly press agents who cordially
accommodated my cramped travel schedule, fitting me into otherwise
non-press shows. I look forward to seeing you all again next year for
the delicious experience that only East Coasters get to live with.
Jekyll & Hyde plays at The Plymouth Theatre, 236 W. 45th Steet; T-Sa 8;
W, Sa 2; Su 3; Tickets: $45-$75, 212-239-6200. Lion King plays at The
New Amsterdam Theatre, 214 W. 42nd St.; W-Sa 8; W, Sa 2; Su at 1,
6:30; Tickets: $20-$80, 212-307-4747 (Sold out Through 2000). On the
Town plays at The Gershwin Theatre, 222 W. 51st St.; T-Sa 8; W, Sa 2;
Su 3; Tickets: $20-$75, 212-307-4100. Parade plays at The Lincoln
Centeršs Vivian Beaumont Theatre, 150 W. 65th St.; T-Sa 8; W, Sa 2; Su
3; Tickets: $40-$75, 212-239-6200. De La Guarda: Villa Villa, plays at
The Daryl Roth Theatre, 20 Union Sq. E @15th St.; T-Th 8; F, Sa at 7,
10; Su 7; Tickets: $37.50-$45, 212-239-6200. R & J plays at The John
Houseman Studio Theatre, 450 W 42nd St.; T-F 8; Sa 3, 8; Su at 3, 7;
Tickets: $40, 212-239-6200. Symphonie Fantastique plays at HERE, 145
Sixth Ave. @ Dominick St.; T-F 7; Sa at 2, 10:30; Su 5; Tickets: $25,
212-647-0202.
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