The Review of Reviews: The Review!

This afternoon, we went to see The Musical of Musicals: The Musical at The Colony Theatre. So, what did I think of the show? Songs, dances, and a story have been triumphantly blended. The Musical of Musicals: The Musical! is a jubilant and enchanting musical. The Eric Rockwell score is one of his best, and that is saying plenty. Joanne Bogard has written a dramatically imaginative libretto and a strong of catchy lyrics; Pamela Hunt has worked small miracles in devising original dances to fit the story and the tunes, as well as directing an excellent company with great taste and craftsmanship.¹

This afternoon, we went to see The Musical of Musicals: The Musical at The Colony Theatre. So, what did I think of the show? It was certainly different and arguably terrific. It was not your ordinary little Broadway musical–not by any means. It was The Musical of Musicals: The Musical!, and I thought it was simply great. Unusual, yes. Not only does it have the first heroine to be turned into an object d’art and covered with paper mache, but the show ends with as many odd rhymes as Into the Woods. The Musical of Musicals is indeed different.²

This afternoon, we went to see The Musical of Musicals: The Musical at The Colony Theatre. So, what did I think of the show? The Musical of Musicals is replete with lively song and dance, and exceptionally able cast, and a splendidly splashy production. Even the scenery is entertaining. This star vehicle deserves its star, and vice is very much versa. No one can be surprised to learn that Mary Gordon Murray is an accomplished actress, but not all of us may know that she has an adequate singing voice, can dance trimly, and can combine all these matters into musical performance.³

This afternoon, we went to see The Musical of Musicals: The Musical at The Colony Theatre. So, what did I think of the show? The Musical of Musicals is a stunning, exhilarating theatrical experience, especially if you don’t think about it too much. Its director Pamela Hunt has designed and developed a virtually faultless piece of Broadway fantasy that has shadow exultantly victorious over substance, and form virtually laughing at content. This pop-opera by Eric Rockwell and Joanne Bogart is wonderfully entertaining in everything but the aftertaste of its pretensions.⁴

This afternoon, we went to see The Musical of Musicals: The Musical at The Colony Theatre. So, what did I think of the show? Bold, cynical, and stylish as can be, The Musical of Musicals is a musical out to kill. And if this show somehow misses the mark, applaud it for its daring and moments of brilliance.⁵

So, Mrs. Lincoln, what did you really think of the show. As I stated above, this afternoon we went to see The Musical of Musicals: The Musical! at The Colony Theatre in Burbank. MoM is an interesting musical: it is a parody musical somewhat similar to Forbidden Broadway. Its basic plot is a very simple story common to melodrama: Ingenue with the heart of gold is told by the landlord that the rent is due, and she has to find a way to pay it. It then tells this story in five different musical styles:

1. Corn!, in the style of Rodgers and Hammerstein.
2. A Little Complex, in the style of Stephen Sondheim.
3. Dear Abby, in the style of Jerry Herman.
4. Aspects of Junita, in the style of Andrew Lloyd Webber.
5. Speakeasy, in the style of Kander and Ebb.

As it does so, it parodies the song styling and lyrics of the indicated authors (throwing in a little bit of Hamlisch/Kleban for the Finale). The parodies all hit the mark, but if one was unfamiliar with the shows and artists targeted, then the jokes would be lost. As I was familiar with almost all the shows parodied (excepting Starlight Express and Sunset Boulevard), I enjoyed it quite a bit. I decided to model the review after the show; the first five paragraphs are adapted from reviews of shows by each composer/lyricist.

The Colony production was excellent. The four member cast consisted of Brent Schindele^* as Big Willy (sic)/Billy/William/Villy; Mary Gordon Murray^* as Mother Abby/Abby/Auntie Abby/Abigail Von Schtarr/Fraulein Abby; Jeffrey Rockwell^* as Jidder/Jitter/Mr. Jitters/Phantom Jitter/Jitter (as well as the principle piano player); and Alli Mauzey^* as June/Jeune/Junie Faye/Junita/Juny, and . All of the cast was excellent. I must also note Ms. Mauzey’s bio, which stated, “Alli Mauzey most recently appeared at the Colony in Row D Seat 211 as an audience member, wherein she was praised by her usher as “profoundly polite” and “magically attentive.” She was a delight to watch, says this attentive audience member. To complete the credits, the show boasted music by Eric Rockwell, Lyrics by Joanne Bogart, and Book by Rockwell and Bogart. Scenic design (there wasn’t much) was by James Morgan; Costumes (again, not that much) was by John Carver Sullivan; Lighting by Mary Jo Dondlinger; Sound by Drew Dalzell, Stage Management by Leesa Freed. Musical direction was by Jeffrey Rockwell, and the production was directed and choreographed by Pamela Hunt. It was a recreation of the 2005 West Coast Premiere production at The Laguna Playhouse.

As always, the upcoming theatre calendar: A Chorus Line, Sat 11/4 @ 2pm; The Beastly Bombing, Fri, 11/10 @ 8pm; Sister Act, The Musical, 11/18 @ 9pm; Dirk, 11/19 @ 2pm; and A Light in the Piazza, 12/3 @ 2pm …plus I’m still working on tickets for 13 (12/30).

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¹ Adapted from the Howard Barnes review of Oklahoma!, March 31, 1943.
² Adapted from the Clive Barnes review of Sweeney Todd, March 1, 1979.
³ Adapted from the Stanley Kauffmann review of Mame, May 24, 1966.
⁴ Adapted from the Clive Barnes review of Evita, September 25, 1979.
⁵ Adapted from the Douglas Watt review of Chicago, June 3, 1975.
^*: Member of Actors Equity Association.