42nd Street in Atlantic City

[Natalie 2]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 4:31pm

Does anyone know anything about this production? Who is the cast? How are they doing? Inquiring minds want to know out here on the road!

[Natalie 2]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 6:20pm

Anybody? My friend Matty is in it...but that's all I know.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 6:21pm

Sorry, Natalie. I would help you if I could!

[Natalie 2]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 6:25pm

Thanks baby!

[eslgr8]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 6:53pm

Hi Natalie:
Here's the first result of a bit of Googling!
Have fun in Palm Desert and Fresno.
Steven :)
Toes are tappin' in `42nd Street'

Friday, March 18, 2005

By CHUCK DARROW
Courier-Post Staff


You hear that?

That tap-tap-tapping sound?

It's coming from the stage of Trump Plaza's theater, where 42nd Street is on the boards through April 17.

This new version of the quintessential backstage musical about a naive woman who becomes an overnight Broadway sensation doesn't quite measure up to a couple of its predecessors from the Plaza's premiere Broadway on the Boardwalk series in 2004.

It boasts neither the technical pizzazz of Singin' In the Rain, nor the dazzling star turn provided by Jekyll & Hyde lead Rob Richardson.

But it does have a heapin' helping of good, old-fashioned tap dancing, something that is in short supply along the Great Wood Way these days. There is something irresistible about a chorus line providing tricky percussive moves with its steel-tipped heels and toes, and that's the best reason to see 42nd Street.

If you need another, there's the score, written by the legendary team of Harry Warren and Al Dubin for the 1933 film upon which the stage version is based. Among the pop standards included are "You're Getting To Be A Habit with Me," "We're In the Money," "Lullaby of Broadway," "About A Quarter to Three," "Shuffle Off to Buffalo" and, of course, the title tune, which pays tribute to that "naughty, bawdy, gaudy, sporty" Manhattan thoroughfare.

Unfortunately, "I Only Have Eyes for You," perhaps the program's most enduring pop song, was eighty-sixed to meet the casino-mandated 90-minute running time.

Leading the cast is Melissa Lone as the unknown-hoofer-turned-star, Peggy Sawyer. Lone surveys the pivotal role with just the right amount of innocence and ambition. And she unfailingly hits the vocal mark each time.

Lending Lone prime support are Jan Leigh Herndon as Dorothy Brock, the over-the-hill leading lady whose pre-opening-night accident paves the way for Peggy's ascension, and Kyrst Hogan as Maggie Jones, co-author of Pretty Lady, the fictional musical that Peggy steps in to save.

A bonus is the work by Melinda Cowan, a young-Bernadette-Peters look-alike who walks (or dances, in this case) away with every scene in which she appears.

Unfortunately, the males in the show aren't quite as compelling, mostly because their roles are secondary to those of the women. The exception is that of Julian Marsh, the producer of Pretty Lady.

John Wilkerson, who plays Julian, simply doesn't have the panache the part demands. He is neither suave enough nor blustery enough to convincingly portray his character. There is a hesitancy in his performance that softens what little edge or drama the play inherently contains.

But anytime things threaten to bog down, along comes one of those great tap numbers to put 42nd Street back on track.

Show times are 2 p.m. Tuesday, 2 and 8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and 8 p.m. Friday. Admission is $25. For tickets and information, call [phone] or go to www.trumpplaza.com.


Original Website Review Updated On: 3/26/05 at 06:53 PM

[Natalie 2]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 7:03pm

You're the best Steven! That's sad about "I Only Have Eyes For You"...but alas, there is no dancing in that number. Too bad about their Julian Marsh...I am very proud of ours: Ron Smith.

[TonyBWay]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 8:14pm

If it's playing at the TRUMP PLAZA in Atlantic City it is probably the equity theatre company that is connected to the Surflight Theatre on the Jersey Shore. I will warn you that the production value is quite low, but I will not down any actors who are working.

I saw FOOTLOOSE there last summer (not sure why?!), but it was the worst thing I have ever seen on a stage. To each is their own, I suppose...

[Marlene]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 8:21pm

There was either an article in the post/times like two weeks ago about this...basically it's a much smaller cast (I believe the it's only 20-30ish people including the chorus) The score is different, and it's done Las Vagas show style...:/

[IMsooHyprToday]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 8:41pm

Ron Smith is something to be VERY proud of.