Wednesday, March 4, 2015

On the 20th C on B'wy-Should Remain in 20thC-so dated, I hated

Betty Comden & Adolph Green are 2 of the most successful & celebrated B'wy collaborators.  On the Town is also currently being reprised on the Great White Way.  Bernstein & Robbins worked with Comden & Green on that show. This Songwriting Hall of Fame pair have won 7 Tony's.  Singin' in the Rain, for which they wrote the screenplay & lyrics has been voted by the Amer. Film Instit. as the best musical of all time.  Nonetheless, On the 20th Century has worn out its welcome.  It does not hold up with its burlesque slapstick & drawn out musical numbers; none of which are memorable.  Kristin Chenoweth, Broadway's golden girl (Wicked & Promises, Promises) is also an Emmy winning actress. She did her best to give this show its minimal zest.  She is a dynamo who strutted her stuff & belted out her numbers with enormous talent from her pint sized frame.  The understudy for Peter Gallagher (Tony nom. & Golden Globe Winner) was underwhelming & was a big disapointment.  Gallagher would have brought his debonair flair to the role.  Perhaps, with Gallagher in his role & dream casting: Harry Connick as Chenoweth's love interest, Nathan Lane as Gallagher's faithful lackey & Cloris Leachman as the dithering old lady, On the 20th C might have been worth reviving.  Shoutout to the 4 tap dancing bellhops that brought some bebop. Otherwise, for anyone born after the 1950's, don't sign on for this insane relic.      

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