SNAPSHOTS by TheatreWorks
SNAPSHOTS: Musical. Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Book by David Stern. Directed by Robert Kelley. With Beth DeVries, Ray Wills, Molly Bell, Michael Marcotte, Courtney Stokes and Brian Crum. TheatreWorks, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. (650) 903-6000 or go to www.theatreworks.org. June 21 - July 13.
AN EXPIRED “SELL BY” DATE
TheatreWorks 39th season opened with the West Coast Premier of Snapshots (A Musical Scrapbook), a pleasant musical comedy by award winning Stephen Schwartz, best known for his music and lyrics written for Broadway hits such as Pippin, Godspell and Wicked.” It is an exercise in unabashed nostalgia as he recycles songs from previous works in collaboration with David Stern and Michael Scheman. The two-hour evening purrs along amicably with hokey plot twists, exuberant dancing and good singing, never generating truly memorable or exciting moments. Scheman and Stern conceived it about 15 years ago without a favorable outing. After a thorough reworking, it was revived three years ago and after two more outings it was reworked for this production.
It asks the question: Can old snapshots, rediscovered in the attic, heal the rift between a long married couple on the verge of a breakup? It begins with Sue (Beth DeVries) in the attic obtaining her suitcase in preparation to leave her completely oblivious husband Dan (Ray Wills) who arrives just in time to share a box full of old snapshots. Hence, the title song written specifically for this show. As they peruse the photos young Danny (Brian Crumb) and Susie (Courtney Stokes) and older Daniel (Michael Marcotte) and Susan (Molly Bell) materialize to recreate past events. Young Danny sings in a appropriately melancholy tone New Kid on the Block (from Captain Louie), happily to be accosted by pert, effervescent, hyperactive Susie singing and dancing up a storm professing she is Popular (from Wicked). Courtney Stokes has her first big moment with the rousing Lion Tamer (from The Magic Show) followed by I’m Not That Girl (from Wicked).
Later older Daniel and Susan appear, as conflict rears its ugly head to share Two’s Company (from The Magic Show) and All The Best (from Godspell). This pattern is carried throughout the show with the re-imagined personae mingling with the real characters of Sue and Dan. This is the pattern for the entire show and many hilarious moments are alternated with pathos both in song and dialog. With the exception of Ray Wills playing the underwritten and thankless part of the dedicated businessman, and under appreciated husband, the cast is excellent. The charisma is palpable between Michael Marcotte and Molly Bell as is the spark between pert Courtney Stokes and likable Brian Crumb who has an eye-popping turn in a cheerleader outfit doing a somersault and split! Beth DeVries’ beautiful voice rises above the stereotypic wife character created by Stern. The ensemble numbers are adroitly handled with special mention of Nothing to do With Love (from Personals) as they sing out the words written in the newspaper personal columns seeking relationships and Moving in With Susan (from Personals).
Joe Ragey’s attic set is up to his usual great standards and Fumiko Bielefeldt has created charming costumes that bridge the three decades defining the plot line. Musical director William Liberatore and the four-piece orchestra are unobtrusive playing the mostly generic compositions. Director Kelley has directed with a touch of love but alas this bit of nostalgia has passed its “sell by date.”
Kedar K. Adour, MD
Courtesy of TheatreWorld Internet Magazine