|
Entertaining and Impressive
|
Kate Baldwin in Goodspeed’s 42nd Street
(Diane Sobolewski) |
Max von Essen, Carina-Kay Louchiey, and the cast of Goodspeed’s 42nd Street (Diane Sobolewski)
|
Max von Essen plays director Julian Marsh. While still maintaining the swagger that comes with Marsh’s Broadway fame, von Essen also brings nuance and passion to the role. Marsh becomes a director who wants the production to succeed, not for mere financial gain or because his name is on it, but because of the fact that it allows the kids on the line, the stars, and himself to give life to their Broadway aspirations. Kate Baldwin’s Dorothy Brock is full of spunk, with comedic timing to top it off. Baldwin’s rendition of “I Only Have Eyes for You” is controlled, yet shines with a beautiful longing that highlights the more sensitive side of Brock.
Carina-Kay Louchiey is the spirited Peggy Sawyer, our chorus girl-turned-star from Allentown. Louchiey is a talented triple threat whose impressive tap dancing is made all the more so by her powerful vocals, especially in the titular song, “42nd Street.” Blake Stadnik plays Billy Lawlor, the tenor starring opposite Dorothy Brock. Stadnick plays into the handful of tenor jokes sprinkled throughout the script, embodying an endearing and amusing Lawlor with a voice and tap skills to match Louchiey.
David Jennings elicits multiple hearty laughs as Abner Dillon, Patrick Oliver Jones brings heart to Pat Denning, and E. Clayton Cornelious and Lisa Howard delight with strong character performances and a solid dose of humor as Bert Barry and Maggie Jones, respectively. Eloise Kropp charms as “Anytime” Annie Reilly, and Lamont Brown displays first-rate tap skills as choreographer Andy Lee. The principals are supported by an impressive ensemble of incredibly talented individuals, including Willie Clyde Beaton II, Sarah Dearstyne, Berklea Going, Candice Hatakeyama, Danielle Jackman, Edward Juvier, Taylor Lane, Brian Shimasaki Liebson, Brady Miller, Christian Probst, and Christopher Shin, and swings Kirsty Fuller and Derek Luscutoff.
The entire production features exceptional designs which add to the spectacle of the musical. Michael Carnahan’s scenic design evokes the New York City skyline with highlighted silhouettes that frame the upstage projection wall. Costume Designer Kara Harmon presents a brilliant pallet of colorful and fun costumes in the style of the piece, accented by J. Jared Janas’ stylish and attractive choices for hair, makeup, and wigs. The environment created with the lighting by Cory Pattak does an excellent job of calling attention to isolated moments with tasteful spotlights, and creating neat effects by using practicals, particularly during “Shadow Waltz.” Jay Hilton’s sound design is seamless, achieving a high-quality balance between performer and pit.
Carina-Kay Louchiey is the spirited Peggy Sawyer, our chorus girl-turned-star from Allentown. Louchiey is a talented triple threat whose impressive tap dancing is made all the more so by her powerful vocals, especially in the titular song, “42nd Street.” Blake Stadnik plays Billy Lawlor, the tenor starring opposite Dorothy Brock. Stadnick plays into the handful of tenor jokes sprinkled throughout the script, embodying an endearing and amusing Lawlor with a voice and tap skills to match Louchiey.
David Jennings elicits multiple hearty laughs as Abner Dillon, Patrick Oliver Jones brings heart to Pat Denning, and E. Clayton Cornelious and Lisa Howard delight with strong character performances and a solid dose of humor as Bert Barry and Maggie Jones, respectively. Eloise Kropp charms as “Anytime” Annie Reilly, and Lamont Brown displays first-rate tap skills as choreographer Andy Lee. The principals are supported by an impressive ensemble of incredibly talented individuals, including Willie Clyde Beaton II, Sarah Dearstyne, Berklea Going, Candice Hatakeyama, Danielle Jackman, Edward Juvier, Taylor Lane, Brian Shimasaki Liebson, Brady Miller, Christian Probst, and Christopher Shin, and swings Kirsty Fuller and Derek Luscutoff.
The entire production features exceptional designs which add to the spectacle of the musical. Michael Carnahan’s scenic design evokes the New York City skyline with highlighted silhouettes that frame the upstage projection wall. Costume Designer Kara Harmon presents a brilliant pallet of colorful and fun costumes in the style of the piece, accented by J. Jared Janas’ stylish and attractive choices for hair, makeup, and wigs. The environment created with the lighting by Cory Pattak does an excellent job of calling attention to isolated moments with tasteful spotlights, and creating neat effects by using practicals, particularly during “Shadow Waltz.” Jay Hilton’s sound design is seamless, achieving a high-quality balance between performer and pit.
Carina-Kay Louchiey and the cast of Goodspeed’s 42nd Street (Diane Sobolewski)
|
Blake Stadnik and the cast of Goodspeed’s 42nd Street (Diane Sobolewski)
|
Of particular note in Goodspeed’s 42nd Street is the projection design by Shawn Duan. The entire upstage wall is a projection surface. Duan creates the interior and exterior of the Forty-Second Street Theater, Broad Street Station in Philadelphia, and numerous dazzling backdrops for Pretty Lady’s musical numbers. All have the capacity to move, shift, and to bring the audience in as performers walk towards, away, or into the spaces being created via projection. While Goodspeed does have the capacity to utilize larger scenic pieces, Duan’s design provided a method with which to fully realize the various locations without the need for full, physical set pieces. The audience is presented with a somewhat abstract, yet satisfying world, beyond just the scenic pieces, which lifts the story into the wider world of New York City and beyond.
42nd Street at the Goodspeed Opera House is an all-around excellent production. The combined onstage talent and production design creates an entertaining and spirit-raising evening of musical comedy excellence that is sure to please. Do yourself a favor and “come and meet those dancing feet” before they “Shuffle Off to Buffalo” November 6!
42nd Street plays at the Goodspeed Opera House, 6 Main Street in East Haddam, Connecticut until November 6, 2022. Performances: Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m., (with select performances at 2:00 p.m.), Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. (with select performances at 6:30 p.m.). Tickets start at $30.00. All prices subject to change based on availability. Goodspeed Box Office (860.873.8668) or online at goodspeed.org.
Kiersten Bjork is a theatremaker and reviewer from Branford, CT, currently in the mentorship program with the Connecticut Critics Circle.
42nd Street at the Goodspeed Opera House is an all-around excellent production. The combined onstage talent and production design creates an entertaining and spirit-raising evening of musical comedy excellence that is sure to please. Do yourself a favor and “come and meet those dancing feet” before they “Shuffle Off to Buffalo” November 6!
42nd Street plays at the Goodspeed Opera House, 6 Main Street in East Haddam, Connecticut until November 6, 2022. Performances: Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m., (with select performances at 2:00 p.m.), Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. (with select performances at 6:30 p.m.). Tickets start at $30.00. All prices subject to change based on availability. Goodspeed Box Office (860.873.8668) or online at goodspeed.org.
Kiersten Bjork is a theatremaker and reviewer from Branford, CT, currently in the mentorship program with the Connecticut Critics Circle.