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Then And Now
Aug. 2nd, 2019 09:24 pmLast evening I saw a unique production of "42nd Street". The Broadway production that won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1981 was a straightforward telling of a 1930's film story starring Ruby Keeler and a young Ginger Rogers. Directed and choreographed by Gower Champion, produced by David Merrick, the stage musical starred Jerry Orbach as Julian Marsh, Tammy Grimes as Dorothy Brock, Wanda Richert as Peggy Sawyer, and Lee Roy Reams as Billy Lawlor. The show opened August 18,1980 and closed January 8, 1989; the musical played three separate theaters during its long run. "42nd Street" was one of six musicals I saw in my first week living in NYC as an aspiring actor, so I came to last night's productions with an affection for the material and preconceived notions of what the show should be! I should of focused more on what the show could be.
The Ordway production of "42nd Street" remains set in the 30's; The costuming reflects that choice with a twist; however, the choreography and music have a contemporary vibe. If you are someone who knows the Harry Warren score - "You're Getting to be a Habit with Me', "Shuffle off to "Buffalo", "We're in the Money", "42nd Street", "The Lullaby of Broadway" as well as I do, the jazz-funk arrangements made several original 1930's songs virtually unrecognizable. I struggled to let go of my traditional perspective of the material and wasn't wholly successful until near the end of the performance. I finally made it to "then meets now". Our seats were way off to one side and in front of the speakers. It was often difficult to hear the mostly excellent singing over the sound of tapping!
The strength of this production is in its leading lady and the supporting leads. Kimberly Immauel as Peggy Sawyer was a revelation, a true triple threat! Tyler Michaels King and Jamecia Bennett as the songwriters Bert Barry and Maggie Jones were delightful; T. Mychael Rambo was a hoot as Abner Dillon, Dorothy Brock's sugar daddy! Their character work was superb!
The true star of this "42nd Street" is the choreography by Jarod Grimes. To put it bluntly, having seen "42nd Street", "The Tap Dance Kid" and "Sophisticated Ladies" on Broadway in the 1980's, the choreography I witnessed last night pushed tap-dancing into a whole other realm of possibility. The creativity boggles the mind. The Ordway's ensemble of young tappers were more than up to the challenging steps presented to them. Their work was dazzling and thrilling!
I predict this rambunctious version of "42nd Street" at The Ordway in St Paul will take a stab at a move to Broadway as a revival with Vanessa Williams cast as the aging diva, Dorothy Brock, and two of the other leads recast. If you're up for a reworking of a classic musical, then head on out to The Ordway. "42nd Street" is playing through August 11. Thanks to thespian15 for making the drive up to the Twin Cities to see the show with me!
The Ordway production of "42nd Street" remains set in the 30's; The costuming reflects that choice with a twist; however, the choreography and music have a contemporary vibe. If you are someone who knows the Harry Warren score - "You're Getting to be a Habit with Me', "Shuffle off to "Buffalo", "We're in the Money", "42nd Street", "The Lullaby of Broadway" as well as I do, the jazz-funk arrangements made several original 1930's songs virtually unrecognizable. I struggled to let go of my traditional perspective of the material and wasn't wholly successful until near the end of the performance. I finally made it to "then meets now". Our seats were way off to one side and in front of the speakers. It was often difficult to hear the mostly excellent singing over the sound of tapping!
The strength of this production is in its leading lady and the supporting leads. Kimberly Immauel as Peggy Sawyer was a revelation, a true triple threat! Tyler Michaels King and Jamecia Bennett as the songwriters Bert Barry and Maggie Jones were delightful; T. Mychael Rambo was a hoot as Abner Dillon, Dorothy Brock's sugar daddy! Their character work was superb!
The true star of this "42nd Street" is the choreography by Jarod Grimes. To put it bluntly, having seen "42nd Street", "The Tap Dance Kid" and "Sophisticated Ladies" on Broadway in the 1980's, the choreography I witnessed last night pushed tap-dancing into a whole other realm of possibility. The creativity boggles the mind. The Ordway's ensemble of young tappers were more than up to the challenging steps presented to them. Their work was dazzling and thrilling!
I predict this rambunctious version of "42nd Street" at The Ordway in St Paul will take a stab at a move to Broadway as a revival with Vanessa Williams cast as the aging diva, Dorothy Brock, and two of the other leads recast. If you're up for a reworking of a classic musical, then head on out to The Ordway. "42nd Street" is playing through August 11. Thanks to thespian15 for making the drive up to the Twin Cities to see the show with me!
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