Musical Revue (1981)
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Conceived and Developed by Craig Lucas and Norman Rene
Directed and Choreographed by Ilyse Robbins
Musical Direction by David McGrory
New Repertory Theatre
Arsenal Center for the Arts
Watertown, MA
January 6 – 27, 2013
Scenic Design by Erik Diaz; Lighting Design by Christopher Ostrom
With Aimee Doherty, Brad Daniel Peloquin, Erica Spyres, Phil Tayler
Pianists: Todd C. Gordon, David McGrory
Courtesy National Gallery, London
There are four singers in this show, each of whom inhabits an adorned space on the beautifully constructed set for this production. Two of them are presumably living lives on their own, and two are living together, though this is by no means certain.
They gather in various combinations – solos, duets, ensembles – to give renditions of various delightful verbal and musical inventions. Though there is no unifying narrative, the themes that are familiar from Sondheim’s opus are evident in each phrase. The wry straightforwardness and slightly pained wit comes through in piece after piece. The themes of solitude, ineptitude and fatalism in relationship, while mixed in with a realistic romanticism, reign throughout.
It is fun to listen to each song and note the sometimes striking similarity to the songs that actually survived in the popular musicals.
All of the singers are great.
in “Marry Me A Little”
Photo: Andrew Brilliant/ Brilliant Pictures
Courtesy New Repertory Theatre
Erica Spyres (who I happily saw not long ago as a delightful and energetic Yum-Yum in the Lyric Stage production of The Mikado) doubles as a violinist pitching in to supplement various of the songs. I had also seen her in the Lyric’s enjoyable production of Avenue Q last season. Phil Tayler also made a fine contribution in that same production of Avenue Q. I had seen Aimee Doherty in the Lyric’s fine, and fun, production of Animal Crackers two seasons ago and, as Maureen, in the New Repertory Theatre’s production of Rent last season. It is nice to see these talented vocalists showing up all over town.
in “Marry Me A Little”
Photo: Andrew Brilliant/ Brilliant Pictures
Courtesy New Repertory Theatre
Everything is artfully accompanied by Todd C. Gordon and David McGrory, the two able pianists whose dual, dueling score is artfully constructed.
in Marry Me A Little
Photo: Andrew Brilliant/ Brilliant Pictures
Courtesy New Repertory Theatre
My only complaint is that the show is too short – about seventy-five minutes, without intermission.
I know there is a general movement to get audiences in and out quickly so as not to tax anyone’s patience; but this feels a little too abbreviated, however delightful the intervening choruses are.
– BADMan
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