This limited engagement off-Broadway show for kids features a bright score
by Stephen Schwartz, the composer/lyricist of Godspell, Pippin,
and the current hit Wicked (not to mention a
number of hit movies). It also has a cast of very talented kids.
Unfortunately the bright score is not well served by the unfocussed, poorly
paced book which has a number of false starts before the story really gets
going. With a show that actually runs less than an hour, that time is a
squandered resource that can't be spared. The visual design is about as
disappointing as the script, with a number of potentially impressive effects
wasted by simply sloppy execution.
Storyline: Young Louie is bummed because his family has moved from the old
neighborhood to a new one. The fact that it is Halloween makes it all the
harder to be away from his old friends, so - with the help of his toy
airplane - he flies back "home" for an evening of trick or treating with his
friends. There he finds that a new kid has moved into his old place and,
while his friends try to demonstrate their loyalty by rejecting the new guy,
Louie shows them that it is OK to welcome new friends.
The score is the strongest thing about this
show. It is solidly in the style of Stephen Schwartz of the 1970s when he
was just about the hottest thing on Broadway. With the folk/rock infused
sound and the fairly
flippant but sincere lyrical touch that made Godspell and Pippin
such hits, the songs are both effective scenes
within the play and catchy, free standing numbers. (Click
here to read our review of the cast
recording.) But, the book surrounding the score fails to get the story off the
ground in the opening scene and remains a bit confusing until almost half
way through the short show.
The cast of talented children includes Douglas
Fabian who is sharp as the title character, Paul Pontrelli who moves very
well as one of his friends, and Ronny Mercedes, a fine new kid on the block.
Each of the on-stage cast of 10 is given a chance to impress, but director Meridee Stein leaves them undirected in between their bits, which results in
some very awkward moments. Choreographer Joshua Bergasse comes up with some
neat moves including a group of tap dancing shadows.
The charm of the original kids' book was the
colorful, whimsical illustrations of Ezra Jack Keats, author of The Snowy
Day and Goggles, among others. The effort to put this look on
stage involves projections on a fairly simple set with the addition of an
occasional set piece. The projections are often ill-focused, sloppily placed
and dim or faded. Before the show gets underway, Ryan Appleby - a young
performer with a strong stage presence - sits on the stage and reads the
entire original book to the audience while the illustrations are projected
on the back wall. Only the top half of the illustrations are visible,
however, as the bottom half falls on the small structure in front of the
rear wall or on the floor. What is visible is dim enough not to register
with some in the audience.
Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Book by
Anthony Stein based on The Trip by Ezra Jack Keats. Directed by
Meridee Stein. Choreographed by Joshua Bergasse. Music Direction by Ray
Fellman. Orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire. Design: Jeff Subik (set)
Elizabeth Flauto (costumes) The Joshua Light Show (multi media) Frank Dain
(graphics) Scott Davis (lights) Shannon Slaton (sound) Chad Lewis (stage
manager). Principal cast: Ryan Appleby, Douglas Fabian, Sara Kapner, Ronny
Mercedes, Katelyn Pippy, Paul Pontrelli, Ricky Smith. |
