White Chocolate

I'm seeing it Friday -- I'll post a review.

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This is one of the shows I have to see when I get up to NYC in a few weeks! I eagerly await your review Margo.

i wonder if it'll be around by Christmas

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While I had decent enough time, what do you say when a comedy just isn't funny enough? This is a satire with a very promising premise (a variation on Melvin van Peebles' "Watermelon Man"), but with less-than-inspired execution. As social commentary, it doesn't go nearly far enough and as comedy, frankly, it could use another two (good) jokes per page.

The good news is that it has a stellar cast that works so hard and is so gifted at wringing out every possible laugh from the often anemic script that they almost save the evening. Reg E. Cathey and, especially, Lynn Whitfield completely nail the accents and physicality of their upper class white characters who have turned black overnight -- Whitfield seems to be channeling Joan Rivers and half the women at Bendel's.

Julie Halston once again demonstrates that she is arguably the finest comedic actress in the business. Her portrait of blithe snobbery that becomes looser and more unhinged and downright outrageous the more alcohol that is consumed is a master class in comedic technique and probably worth the price of admission all by itself. Erik Laray Harvey, Paul H. Juhn and Samantha Soule all turned in fine work in supporting roles. David Schweizer's direction was extremely efficient and well-paced.

I suppose I can recommend this production with certain reservations. While the play itself could probably use another draft (or perhaps, having Neil Simon come in as play doctor and punch up the script with a few dozen really solid jokes), the cast is so first rate that they make the evening worth seeing. If you can find a good discount, there are many worse ways to spend two hours.

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