Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The wildly hyped, skin deep revival of THE MUSIC MAN pops and crackles like a vividly animated cartoon

• By drediman
• February 18, 2022
• No Comments

This past week, I was in the audience of the wildly hyped Broadway revival of Meredith Wilson’s classic musical The Music Man at the Winter Garden Theatre (back in September 2020, the production’s marquee was installed at the theater, acting like a sort of hopeful beacon for New York theater during the darkest days of the pandemic). The revival is headlined by Hugh Jackman, the charismatic megastar of stage and screen who has deservedly received above-the-title billing as Harold Hill, a traveling con artist who in the musical attempts to swindle the citizens of River City, Iowa, only to fall in love with its cautious librarian-cum-music teacher, played by the irrepressible Sutton Foster. The staging is by the same creative team – director Jerry Zaks, choreographer Warren Carlyle, set designer Santo Loquasto – that struck gold with the Bette Midler-led revival of Hello, Dolly! On paper, this Music Man seemed all but destined to take the lead in providing with the kind of escapist, post-trauma Broadway entertainment that Mamma Mia! did in the very same theater shortly after 9/11.

Mr. Zaks’ sturdy, postcard-perfect production goes the extra mile to celebrate all things Americana, particularly through the painterly lens of Iowan artist Grant Wood (iconic works like “American Gothic” and “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” are wittily referenced by Mr. Loquasto). In short, the revival pops and crackles like a vividly animated cartoon, which ultimately registers as a mixed blessing. Although I was plenty entertained by the undeniable vivacity of the brash production, the musical’s dramatic stakes felt oddly muted and the overall story devoid of any semblance of real danger or looming threat. I last caught the musical in 2018 at Canada’s Stratford Festival (directed and choreographed by Donna Feore, who really needs to be brought to helm a Main Stem musical at some point soon) that beautifully brought out all the nuanced shades of Mr. Meredith’s masterpiece. The most successful aspect of the current production is Mr. Carlyle’s inspired and dynamic choreography, especially as danced by the show’s luxuriously large and talented ensemble (the kids notably sparkled).

Although Mr. Jackman handily handles the titular role with ease and charisma (unsurprisingly), the performance neither digs deep enough nor registers larger-than-life enough to truly make the role his own (Ms. Midler did the latter so brilliantly in Hello, Dolly!). Ms. Foster fares a tad better as Marian the Librarian, giving a captivating, strong-willed performance that’s boldly at odds with the mold previous actresses have memorably established in the role. That being said, I did miss the unforced way that natural sopranos like Barbara Cook and Rebecca Luker had with the Mr. Meredith’s score. There’s an embarrassment of talent in the supporting cast. Aside from Mr. Jackman and Ms. Foster, the starry company also includes the likes of Jefferson Mays and Jayne Houdyshell (as Mr. and Mrs. Mayor Shinn), as well as Shuler Hensley (as Marcellus Washburn) – all Tony-winners who give comedically vibrant performances. Best of all is Marie Mullen as Mrs. Paroo, who imbues her character with the kind of warmth and easy charm I wish the rest of the production possessed.

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THE MUSIC MAN
Broadway, Musical
Winter Garden Theatre
2 hours, 30 minutes (with one intermission)
Open run