Susan Stroman's "The Beast in the Jungle" Is Not a Thriller in Manila or An American in Paris

The combined talents of dir/choreographer Susan Stroman ("Contact" & "The Producers"), Tony nominated playwright David Thompson and Tony winning composer John Kander ("Cabaret" & "Chicago") has all the makings for a real knock out show only it falls flat.  This dated production, based on Henry James' novel is trite.  The dance play is ephemeral fluff lacking in bite.  The flashback storytelling of young lovers who missed their chance at love because of a haunting emotional trauma that led Young (played by Tony Yazbeck) to flee his beloved May (Irina Dvorovenko, a former ABT dancer) packed a mere powder puff jab.  The two leads went a few rounds with some charming though uninspiring choreography.  Michael Curry's scenic designs were  corny.  The only knock out punch came from Kander's original score performed live.  Stroman leads this "Jungle" into a bungled beast.  It's a sleepy, tangled mess that's not worth going the distance.