Directed by James Lapine and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler, the show quickly moves from orphanage to mansion and back again with lots of fun along the way. Its really an evening not to be missed, even though you might leave the theater wondering what this Chaplin guy was all about anyway.Īcross the street on Broadway, they’re packing them in at the revival of ANNIE at the Palace Theatre, and its a dazzling new production. There is a reason this almost universally panned-by-critics musical is packing them in from night to night - and that is the cast that is solid from top to bottom, the excellent technical work, and Rob McClure’s simply stunning performance. When you start rooting for Hedda Hopper to make it “all fall down” (a lyric repeated ad-nauseum throughout the show) its a sure sign that the audience is looking for someone, anyone, to spark some life into the script.īut oh, what a production. Chaplin is a fascinating character to be sure - but there’s little to learn in this musical between good-guy-come-millionaire in Act I, and possible communist spy in Act II. Warren Carlyle’s busy direction and choreography can’t hide the gaping holes in script, and the banality of what is there. The rest of the show doesn’t fare as well - stunning greyscale set design by Beowulf Boritt and costumes by Amy Clark and Martin Pakledinaz lit in shades of white and shadow by Ken Billington can’t hide the horrendous script by Christopher Curtis and Thomas Meehan, and bland music by Mr Curtis. In general, the entire ensemble is solid. Not to worry, Emilee is a terrific understudy. Apparently Christiane Noll (the usual Hannah) has a contract which allows her frequent missed performances in order to perform her concerts across the country. Great performances are also turned in by Wayne Alan Wilcox as his brother Sydney Jenn Colella as Hedda Hopper, and at my performance Emilee Dupre as Chaplin’s mother, Hannah. Not surprisingly, the Equity Fights Aids Broadway Cares auction at the end of the show raised 7000.oo for his autographed derby hat. He commands your attention each moment he is on the stage (which is pretty much the entire 2 hour-15 minutes performance – the show runs 2:30 with intermission). Not only does his physical performance rate attention, but so does his ability to age from young adulthood to old age over the course of a couple of hours at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. His physicality is amazing - from balancing on a tightwire, to pratfalls and tap dance, this is a star-making turn for a relatively unknown actor who has been working for years. Lets start with the must-see performance of the season: Rob McClure as Charlie Chaplin in CHAPLIN. Seen the weekend of November 16 – 18, this trip included revivals of Annie and The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and the new musical Chaplin. Musical Theater is in full swing on Broadway this fall, with some new material, and some revivals - and the good news is, whatever you choose, you’ll be in for a treat.
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