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The Education of Randy Newman
By Melinda Schupmann
Over the years Randy Newman has, with sly good humor or less-than-subtle chiding, directed our attention to political and societal concerns through pop melodies less appreciated by the general public than his fellow musicians. When he wasn't doing that, he was racking up an impressive list of award nominations for film scoring, vocal arranging, pop songs, and even a theatrical musical Faust. The Education of Randy Newman, a sung-through musical revue at South Coast Repertory incorporating some of his best songs, tells a largely autobiographical tale of a Newman-like songwriter (Scott Waara), who is born, grows up, and arrives at middle age having learned some of life's lessons through marriage, divorce, and re-marriage.
The stage is set with Waara composing a song on a child's piano keyboard. A Prologue establishes that this is more than personal narrative, but a historical perspective on several decades in America through Newman's music. The Company (Jordan Bennett, Gregg Henry, Sherry Hursey, John Lathan, Allison Smith, and Jennifer Leigh Warren) are the voices of the songwriter's family, friends, and even public figures whom he observes.
The two successive Acts I and II recount his childhood, some in Louisiana ("Louisiana 1927", "Kingfish," "Jolly Coppers on Parade") and a lot in Los Angeles ("I Love L.A.", "It's Money That I Love").
Conceived by Jerry Patch and Michael Roth, who also does the vocal arrangements and orchestration, this is an ambitious undertaking, carefully structured to have entertainment value but also to spolight Newman's complex musical variety. Though it may falter from time to time from a lack of energy and focus, it is still an involving variety of ballads designed to provide a satirical overview.
Utilizing a series of screens, venetian blinds, and a couple of staircases that can move about the set, scenic designer Ralph Funicello provides a backdrop for the moving and shifting scenes. It is rather busy at times, but it also adds a dynamic for the show's politics. Excellent lighting design by Donald Holder also enhances the production.
Jennifer Leigh Warren is particularly sharp in her parts, but the entire cast works well as an ensemble. Smith is notable in a poignant farewell to the songwriter ("When He Loved Me"). Of course, "Short People" is a particular crowd-pleaser, even though its sharply critical edge is frequently missed because of the 'cute' nature of the song.
Director/Choreographer Myron Johnson moves the ensemble well, and that contributes to the audience's sustained interest in this production over the course of its two hours and thirty minutes. The Education of Randy Newman, presented by South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. (714) 708-5555. Tues-Fri. at 8; Sat. at 2:30 and 8; Sun. at 2:30 and 7:30. $33-52. Closes July 2.
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