Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam, CT
through December 21, 2014
By R.E. Smith
Sometimes one cannot mince words: this is a remarkable show.
Every aspect of Goodspeed’s original adaptation of the 1942 Crosby/Astaire
movie musical glitters and shines with sincere attention to detail and love of
the material.
Rebuffed by his fiancée and left by his partner, song and
dance man Jim Hardy moves to a country house in Connecticut to start a new
life. To make ends meet, he calls on his show biz friends to perform at the inn
on holidays. Singing, dancing and romantic complications ensue. The solid book
improves the plot of the movie, retooling some characters, scenes, and
motivations to make a whimsical but grounded storyline.
To start, the tunes are so familiar that it is hard to
believe this was never on stage before. Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies”, “White
Christmas” and Easter Parade” are just a few of the 25 standards easily
integrated into the action.
The choreography by Denis Jones is spectacular, sometimes
echoing the source and inventively interpreting the styles. Tap dance
extravaganza “Shaking the Blues Away” had the audience on its feet and every
number took advantage of the ensemble’s top-notch skill. Alejo Vietti’s
costumes elicited “ooh’s and ahh’s,” providing authentic, colorful icing on
this giddy song and dance confection.
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Patti Murin and Noah Racey
Photo (c)Diane Sobolewski
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Male leads Kelly Sessions (Jim) and Noah Racey (Ted) hint at
the movie’s stars personalities, but create fine interpretations of their own. Sessions
has to be sympathetic without being a patsy and Racey must be likable but
self-centered. Patti Murin portrays love interest Linda’s arc from guarded
teacher to energized star in authentic fashion. Susan Mosher’s “Handyman”
Louise is a showstopper with just a few well-timed one-liners and facial
expressions.
Highlights abound, from the Thanksgiving ensemble number
“Plenty to be Thankful For,” to Sessions’ poignant vocal’s on “Be Careful, It’s
My Heart” to Racey’s amazing footwork in “Let’s Say It with Fireworks”. As one
gentlemen announced, to no one in particular, as he was leaving the theater: “I
think they (Goodspeed) have a winner with this one!”