The Musical of Musicals
Bay Area Premiere:
Runaway hit now extended until June 21st!
THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (The Musical!). Music by Eric Rockwell, Lyrics by Joanne Bogart,Book by Eric Rockwell & Joanne Bogart; Director/Choreographer Mindy Cooper; Musical Director Brandon Adams. Center REPertory Company
GREAT FUN AND FANCY STAGING
From a personal viewpoint, “The Musical of Musicals” is a “must see” production. It is handsomely staged and has a brilliant cast of four with marvelous musical director (Brandon Adams) at the on-stage piano occasionally allowed to partake of the lyrics but not given the chance to dance. Director and choreographer Mindy Cooper keeps the pace brisk and hilarious. The show is probably more enjoyable to those with a knowledge and love of musicals since the entire show is a satirical parody and put down of blockbuster musicals written by famous composers and lyricists.
You certainly will get your money’s worth with five mini-musicals parading on a fantastic set(s) (Robert Broadfoot) with the proscenium arch lined with old fashion light bulbs that are in continual motion and marques of similar ilk. The tone is set with a short silent film (Jeffery Draper), in sepia tone, of the famous melodrama of a damsel in distress saying, “I can’t pay the rent”, a mean landlord insisting “You must pay the rent, or else. . .” and our hero coming to the rescue (most of the time) with “I’ll pay the rent!”
After the short film, the superb four-member cast, all with great singing voices and comic timing, belt out the five versions of that melodrama. Rogers and Hammerstein are the first to be skewered with the show “Corn”, a parody of “
Thus, it is with the other four mini-musicals. “A Little Complex” takes aim on Steven Sondheim musicals (“Into the Woods”, “Company”, “Sweeney Todd” and “Sunday in the Park with George”). The set designer throws in cutout figures from George Seurat’s painting. This time landlord Jitter is a mad artist planning to murder his tenants for throwing his paintings into the trash.
It’s Jerry Herman’s turn to be parodied in “Dear Abby” with Milissa Carey doing the honors with knock-offs of Mame and Dolly Levi as she flounces down the moveable stairway. Mark Farrell has his turn in a terrible wig and drag outfit insisting “I Am What I Am” parody from “La Cage Aux Follies”. Jitter is a mad artist/landlord who plots to murder his tenants for throwing his artwork out with the trash.
Act two opens with a hilariously devastating send up of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Evita”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, and “Phantom of the Opera” including a dolled-up scooter you’ve never seen before, or never will see again, for the subterranean boat. The well-known crashing of the chandelier is hilarious despite, maybe because, of the shtick that goes with it. Adding to fun, memories of “Starlight Express” are evoked when roller skating is introduced. The segment, sung in operatic style, includes of resistive as no-talent Junita (Marcus) hopes to pay the rent by becoming a star (like Jesus Christ Superstar).
Kander and Ebb have the dubious honor of being picked as the “best for last” with “Speak Easy.” This is not true because all of the mini-musicals are a pleasure to watch and there is no best segment. However, it does the honor of having, as you would expect, the most raunchy, complex plot line. Combine “
Courtesy of TheatreWorld Internet Magazine