The score is pretty forgettable, which is too bad, because Strouse can write memorable stuff (RAGS). The songs written for Margo were designed for Bacall, so when real singers do them, they sound -- well, just bizarre. The first bus and truck of the show starred Patricce Munsel -- an opera/operetta singer! When she sang meatball numbers like "Hurry Back" and opted to end in a coloratura flourish, it was beyond strange. There was a revival a few years ago with Stephanie Powers, which moved the title song to the first spot (good idea, I think), and let Margo sing it to start the show. But it tanked anyway. You need a bigger-than-life presence who can move well, deliver bitchy dialogue, and sort of ... throw away the songs. The musical sort of defangs Eve, wrapping her up too early, and requires that Margo end up opting to stay home and make a lasagna for her man. Not exactly empowering for a powerful woman.
Also: fans of the classic EVE -- the musical doesn't have Addison de Witt, one of the most memorable characters in the film, but adds a hoary cliche, the queeny hairdresser. He serves no dramatic purpose, other than to get Margo into a gay bar wherein she dances on a juke box (!) in a fringe skirt and big white stewardess shoes. How hip. Oh the 70s -- not exactly a decade worth revisiting.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
Updated On: 8/8/04 at 01:14 PM
