[NEohioPAL]Previews: 42nd St, Oxymoron, Lion King

[Roy Berko]

‘42ND STREET’ IS A TRUE LULLABY OF
BROADWAY/OXYMORON/’LION KING’

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--WestlakerTimes--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	

What do June Allyson, Stockard Chaning, Albert Finney,
James Garner, Katherine Hepburn, Diane Keaton, Shirley
MacLaine and Phylicia Rashad have in common?   They
are real life examples of the concept behind ‘42nd
STREET’--an understudy takes over for the lead and
becomes a star.

Based on the classic 1933 movie musical of the same
name, ‘42nd STREET ‘  tells the story of a starry-eyed
young actress named Peggy Sawyer who has come to
audition for the new Julian Marsh musical that is
about to open on Broadway. Unfortunately, Peggy can't
seem to work up the nerve to walk through the stage
door until it's too late--the audition is over. But
Peggy soon catches the eye of the director, and when
the chorus turns up one girl short, Peggy gets her big
break. She can't seem to stay in the good graces of
the show's ageing leading lady.  The situation only
gets worse, or better, on opening night, when another
dancer accidentally pushes Peggy into the leading lady
who falls and breaks her ankle. The furious director
fires Peggy.  Discouraged and ready to give up all her
dreams of becoming a star, Peggy packs her bags and
heads for the train station, but fate has other plans
and Peggy turns out to be a star.   Yes, this is the
stuff of which Broadway dreams are made.

When it opened, ‘42nd STREET’ ushered in the new age
of theatrical spectacle.  It had a cast of 54, had 750
costumes, and dozens of stage effects.  The musical
became an instant hit.  
>From the opening in July of 1980 to today there has
hardly been a week when the show hasn’t been seen in
some part of the world.

The show, composed by Harry Warren, with lyrics by Al
Dubin has been called "an absolute knockout," "a
virtually nonstop pleasure," "Broadway razzle-dazzle
at its best," "100% entertainment," "it flies like a
magic bird from the overture on," and "Sensational." 
The 2001 revival was billed as "a star is reborn." It
went on to win a Tony for Musical Revival.

What makes the show such an audience pleaser?  It
combines rhythmic tap and percussive footwork with
songs such as "I Only Have Eyes for You," "We’re in
the Money," "You’re Getting to Be a Habit With me,"
and the sensational "Lullaby of Broadway." It is also
a spectacle in every sense of the word.

‘42nd STREET’ will play at the Palace Theatre from
February 18 through March 2 with Tuesday through
Friday performances at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and
Sunday performances at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 
Tickets are now on sale and range from $21.50 to
$48.50 by calling 216-241-6000 or 800-766-6048, on
line at www.playhousesquare, or at Tickets.com outlets
located in Tops Friendly Markets.


‘THE MALE INTELLECT: AN OXYMORON’ TO DELIGHT AT THE
ALLEN

When ‘THE MALE INTELLECT: AN OXYMORON’ ran in
Cleveland several years ago I referred to it as being
hysterical. I went on to say that it gives the
audience a comedy version of "MEN ARE FROM MARS, WOMEN
ARE FROM VENUS" and "YOU JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND," two
best selling book on male-female communication.  

The story?  Bobby is  in a state of confusion. 
Several weeks before the curtain rises, he had found
the girl of his dreams. He made the commitment. He
planned to get married.  She dumped him.  Since then
he's been trying to figure out what went wrong.  The
only thing he has figured out about women is that they
are female.  In this he is like most guys, clueless as
to what makes women tick. 

Robert Dubac, who both wrote the script and portrays
Bobby,  has bridged a career between acting, comedy
and writing for over ten years.  ‘THE MALE INTELLECT:
AN OXYMORON’ grew out of the desire to bring his three
interests together.  And blend them together he does
well.  As another local critic said in its last pass
through he area, "In case you were wondering, it is
possible for a person to be tasteless, sensitive and
funny, all at the same time. The proof lies in "THE
MALE INTELLECT: AN OXYMORON"

The show runs February 12 through February 16 at the
Allen Theatre.  For tickets, which run $34.50 to
$39.50 call 216-241-6000 or 800-766-60489 or go
on-line to www.tickets.com or www.playhousesquare.com.
 Tickets for opening nigh, February 12 are $20
compliments of WMJI 105.7FM.

LION KING ROARS INTO CLEVELAND

The overture begins.  As the sun rises on the savanna,
Rafiki, the wise old baboon, calls the animals to
Pride Rock, singing about the circle of life.   The
parade of the animals, which takes place both down the
aisles and on stage is breathtaking.  Rafiki greets
Mufasa, the Lion King, and his queen, Sarabi. Climbing
the great rock, Rafiki lifts their newborn son for all
to see.  Thus, ‘The Lion King,’ Disney’s smash
theatrical musical opens.

What follows is a wonderful visual and musical legend
that tells the story of the coming-of-age of a lion
cub who must battle both his enemies and his doubts to
claim his rightful place in the world.

‘The Lion King’ is a show of messages.  Listening is
the first, essential part of the learning.  It is
listening to his elders and those who have experience
that helps Simba grow up and takes his part in the
Circle of Life.  Another message is remembering.  When
Simba sees his father's spirit, Mufasa tells him
'Remember'. Remember who you are, and where you came
from.   Probably the most important lesson of the show
is that people can learn from their mistakes. Simba
cannot run from his past - he has to learn from it. 
Mistakes should be seen as opportunities for discovery
and growth.

Songs in the show include "The Morning Report," "They
Live in You," "One by One," "The Lion Sleeps Tonight,"
and the mesmerizing "Can you Feel the Love tonight."

Called "Truly dazzling... A once-in-a-lifetime
experience, you owe it to yourself to see it more than
once!" The show won Tony awards for Best Choreography,
Best Costume Design, and Best Director.  In London it
was awarded the Evening Standard Award for Theatrical
Event of the Year.

‘The Lion King’ will appear on the stage of the Allen
theatre from June 26-August 17.  Tickets will go
quickly so it is advisable to order tickets
immediately at 216-241-6000 or go on line to
www.playhousesquare.com or stop at TOPS markets for
tickets.com.  The production is part of the Broadway
series.


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