I’m surprised to read some of the negative comments here. I do think act two could stand to be tweaked and trimmed, but I loved the score and thought the book was downright hilarious.
My biggest fear going on was how they handled the change from soap opera parody to that of musical theater. Overall I think it was a switch for the better, but I did take two issues with the idea, one minor and one major. The minor problem is that now Michael is really toying with people’s lives/paychecks/futures in a way that he wasn’t on Southwest General. Emily Kimberly could always easily be written out of the soap if/when things go south, but a lead of a Broadway musical is not so easily replaced; he’s not just messing with their emotions, but their livelihoods.
The bigger problem involves SPOILER (if you don’t know the film) Dorothy’s reveal. In the movie, the funniest scene is easily Emily Kimberly’s revelation that she’s really Edward Kimberly. Not only does it work for the story, but it’s such an ultimate soap opera trope that it works on a meta level that is missing from the musical.
Otherwise, the musical theater stuff is really funny. The choreography was a riot and remind me of the stuff in Head Over Heels, which maybe was some unintentional shade. The new plot also allows for a lot of insidery theater jokes that will be easy for people here to enjoy. I adored Julie Halston’s Adela Holzer type producer.
I agree with the poster who said Lilli Cooper (as Julie) has the best song. It’s a “I Can Do Better Than That” song, with a killer melody and idiosyncratic lyric placement that delights the ear. Sticking with The Last 5 Years theme, Sarah Stiles’ first number is a “Climbing Uphill” description of the torturous audition process.
Both John Behlmann and Andy Grotelueschen are very, very funny and are each afforded a comic number in act two.
I swear one of Santino’s number has strains of “The Microphone” in it; I enjoyed his material, but he needs an 11 o’clock number that packs a bigger punch. He doesn’t need to go full on J&H “Confrontation,” but it couldn’t hurt to have a “Duet For One.”
I liked the design and the costumes. There are no projections- it feels more old school musical comedy.
It might not be a perfect show, but it’s a lot of fun. A musical comedy that lives up to its promises of tuneful songs and big laughs. This is our last musical of the season, and it’s nice to end things on a high note.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
_/ said: "I’m sure it’s a better show then The Prom and Be more chill. "
