Lore, Robertson Photo by Alan Weston

In 1961 actor Anthony Newley and composer Leslie Bricusse collaborated for the first time on a "new style" musical form combining mime, minimalist sets and costumes, a lead character who spoke to the audience, etc. to tell the story of an English Everyman from birth to death. The result was Stop the World - I Want to Get Off which opened on Broadway in 1962 and ran for 555 performances. It has rarely been seen since. Musical Theatre Guild kicked off their 14th season of staged concert versions of rarely performed musicals with the hit-filled confection for one night at Glendale's Alex Theatre and one afternoon at Thousand Oaks' Scheer Forum.

In his opening remarks, co-producer Scott Dreier stated that all the songs were written in 8 days and not a note or lyric was ever changed. That is amazing when you consider how musicals today are workshopped to near nadir, emerging very little as their creators first envisioned them. On another note, neither Newley or Bricusse could read or write music so they hummed the melodies to a friend who transcribed them. Sort of the method Mel Brooks used earlier this decade to create The Producers. But then Brooks didn't create any songs resembling Gonna Build a Mountain, Once in a Lifetime, or What Kind of Fool Am I?

Newley and Bricusse also wrote the book for the show which follows Littlechap from birth through the ups and downs of his career and the ins and outs of his married life and sexual conquests. It’s a very simple story, simply told in a presentational style by a cast of 9, here under the fluid direction of Douglas R. Clayton. The musical score sounded great as played by the 7 piece on stage band under the direction of Ron Colvard. The ensemble played everything from factory drones to Death to school kids. Justin Robertson lacked Newley's charisma and bravado in the leading role, but he charmed his way into your affection. More of a character actor than a leading man, he was good but not outstanding. His musical chops finally chimed in with the surefire finale What Kind of Fool Am I?

Anna Quayle won a Tony Award for her performance as the four main women in Littlechap's life. If there is any justice in the theater world, Tracy Lore will reap every award possible for her performance here. With a minimal costume addition or a spot on accent change, Lore essayed the roles of English wife Evie as well as Russian, German & American mistresses Anya, Ilse and Ginnie. Her comic timing was unparalleled, especially in a sequence when all four women appear in quick succession. Her Ilse with the pretzel braids was an notable highlight. Lore also possesses the musical chops to deliver her songs. Glorious Russian, Typische Deutsche, and All-American were comic delights while Meilinki Meilchick was heartbreakingly touching. When are composers going to start writing musicals for a performer with this bounty of talent? Stop the World - Tracy Needs a Broadway Musical!

Next up for MTG is Fade Out - Fade In, Nov. 9 & 15. 818-848-6844 or www.musicaltheatreguild.com