66.0°,
Mostly Cloudy Thaw out with ‘Into the Woods’ and Honeymoon in Vegas’
The weather outside may be “frightful” but when the ice melts wend your way to warm your heart at a pair of dazzling delights. Top your pleasure with a magical visit to the Fiasco Theater’s bare bones re-telling of the Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine (book) musical treasure “Into The Woods.”
No matter if you’ve visited the world of the above iconic talents before (also currently available in a ballyhooed film version I’ve not yet seen) you will never thrill to a more insightful version of the lot of mankind than at the Laura Pels Theater. With a magnificent cast of 11 very busy performers playing multi-roles — while also changing the musical’s bare bones scenery; and the sure hand of Noah Brody and Ben Steinfeld’s inspired direction and Lisa Shriver’s radiant choreography lighting up an intimate stage — the price of your ticket will win you a lottery of enchantment.
From the first “once upon a time”— as the cast takes the stage after personally greeting members of the audience we are transported to Derek McLane’s ingenuous set that includes ancient trunks, crates, a worn piano, a dressmaker dummy, a much-to-be-used stepladder, and upstage a virtual “woods” made of wire ropes.
What occurs within this simple setting are life lessons — illuminated by wit — for children of all ages (including you and me); and these heady reminders leave no doubt we are all barking up the same trees in learning to understand that life will always bring challenges, disappointments, even tragedies as we search to find purpose in our lives.
With “be careful what you wish for” as a shared lesson (for such as a child-less baker and his wife to a prince whose calling is “to be charming — not sincere” this saga of quests most thrillingly teaches what is most important in life are bonds of family and friendship; to keep strong when despair gains an upper hand.
‘Honeymoon in Vegas is comic bliss
Good news traveled fast when “Honeymoon in Vegas” opened at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse more than a year ago. But when news of a Broadway transfer came over the transom skeptics wondered if it was a good bet for Broadway.
Adapted by Andrew Bergman from his 1992 movie, would nostalgia and a ballyhooed score by Jason Robert Brown make the grade with such as “Kinky Boots” and “Book of Mormon?” A now mature Tony Danza could surely fill the tap-dancing shoes of any Broadway star — but would his persona work as Tommy Korman, a smooth Vegas wheeler-dealer gambling for a chance to mend his broken heart when he encounters Betsy (delightful Brynn O’Malley) a stunning young Brooklyn ringer for Korman’s much beloved late wife.
The answer at the Nederlander Theater, where this critic joined a standing ovation audience to cheer an awesomely dazzling Danza — proving 60 is the new 40 … with the finesse of a one-time boxer — the answer is “You bet!”
When longtime girlfriend Betsy delivers an ultimatum on the subject of marriage her honey, earnest Jack (wonderful turn by Rob McLure) finally caves, and plans are made for the big day. But his ancient mom Bea (veteran comic Nancy Opel is a hoot) isn’t ready to loosen her reins on her son just yet — and therein lies the plot of “Honeymoon in Vegas.” Boy loves girl, girl loves boy — but when they head for Vegas to tie the knot — and Jack needs money for a wedding ring “Honeymoon’s” plot brings on Korman and his go-fer gamblers on the ready to make sure whatever Tommy wants —Tommy gets!
A bevy of Las Vegas showgirls add further comic pizzazz to the plot, as do some pushy Hawaiian beauties as Tommy wins a “friendly” weekend on that Island with Betsy in payment of Jack’s comic (to everyone but the young man) usurious debt to Tommy for ring money. With Brown’s lilting score leading the comic plot from Vegas to Hawaii and full circle to a blissful ending for finally blossoming jack and his cusp-of- bride-to-be!
“Honeymoon in Vegas” is an ice melter with big laughs, good feeling , and a happy ending. A suave Tony Danza, playing it straight is right at home in a Broadway “ring”— and “What Happens in Vegas” is odds on to melt the winter in your bones. (Nederlander Theater,208 West 41st St., 817-250-2929)
HEADS UP: Tom Dulack’s “The Road to Damascus” is a taut thriller as timely at tomorrow’s sometimes dreaded headlines. Get to 59E59theaters for a gripping edge-of-your-seat experience, where the play (world premiere in this version!) has kept evolving in pace with world events. This time out it’s the first black Pope headed at his peril for Damascus to avert atomic warfare after a New York landmark is destroyed by Syrian terrorists. (Totally gripping theater. Through Mar. 1 tickets now at 212-279-4200 or www.59E.59.org.)
