Theater magic: ‘On the Twentieth Century’ and ‘Fish in the Dark’

The gorgeous, thrilling revival of “On The Twentieth Century,” Betty Comden, Adolph Green (book and lyrics) and Cy Coleman’s (music) 1937 frolic has “Tony Award for Best Revival” written in every delicious glowing moment of this tale of the twin glories of the Golden Age of Hollywood and the brimming luxury of burgeoning American train travel. And the frothy icing on this comic, poignant musical pleasure trip is a splendiferous performance by awesome 46-year young Kristen Chenowith (Tony nomination in her every dazzling moment on stage) that will surely be musical nirvana to treasure for years to come.
I promise you will leave dancing up the aisle of the American Airlines Theater, brimming with kudos for the Roundabout Theater Company’s magical director Scott Ellis, inspired choreographer Warren Carlyle (Oh! Those spirited dancing porters!), William Ivey Long’s fabulous rainbow of period costuming and David Rockwell’s shimmering set of the luxury cross-country “Limited.”
The dizzying complications of the musical’s plot tells the tale of a desperate, bankrupt producer, Oscar Jaffee (dynamo Peter Gallagher) trying to re-connect with a blossoming movie starlet (Chenoweth’s Mildred Plotkin” re-invented as a dazzling Lily Garland by Oscar — now moving on from live theater to the glitter of Hollywood.) When Jaffee connives to take over the prime stateroom next door to the one soon shared by Lily and her new beau, would-be co-star Bruce Granit (fine Andy Karl of “Rocky” fame), we find he’s now first in the actress’ ambitions and her heart that travels with them. From that moment “On The Twentieth Century” turns riotously comic in all directions.
Salvation arrives (or so it seems) in the unlikely presence of (one might say!) deliriously comic Mary Louise Wilson as one of a group of travelers (whose role is yours to discover).Yes, she does cause a ruckus as she plasters Repent stickers throughout the train, but also becomes the prime (if suspect) potential investor poised to back producer Jaffee.
The hijinks aboard “On The Twentieth Century Limited” as it roars toward New York in this mad-cap laugh-fest soon make one giddy with its hark-back to the glamour, style and vicissitudes of show biz, which seem to remain remarkably the same in 2015 and in the 1930s! Reserve your pleasure trip aboard “On the Twentieth Century” post-haste. I’m still grinning form the dazzling thrill of it all; and ready for a three-peat of Chenoweth’s magic — no lesser praise will do!

Fresh ‘Fish in the Dark’
Yes, “Fish in the Dark” is a glorified sit-com, but one that had our audience giggling away for two-plus hours under the comic spell of Larry David. A long-time theater critic doesn’t get to watch much TV, so I don’t know the triumphs of the fledgling playwright (first play) whose Broadway debut (first appearance) is bringing us what must be the best of his Steinfeld schtick to bring on non-stop laughter to the deliciously acted “Fish in the Dark.”
Oh, yes again, the comedy is about the death of a Jewish scion (early in the play) who causes the subsequent fracas that will bring laugh-out-memories (and likely some not so funny) of the dividing of the spoils and who gets to house mom. The excesses of shiva rituals and the recriminations that seem endemic to generations of Jewish (and some not!) clans who really care more about who gets the Rolex than that dear old dad, uncle, cousin or grandpa who has gone to his final reward.
Because this is 2015, David’s plot is also a ribald tell-all, where everyone in the family eventually lets decades of grudges mix with generational attitudes such as the plight of the longtime family housekeeper (wonderful Rosie Perez) — passed from parents to off-spring who also has very personal agendas of her own; and acts on them (why shouldn’t off-spring Diego go to medical school?) and it’s her loveable son (wonderful Jake Cannabale) who provides the hilarious touchstone for family loyalty when it comes to comforting Grandma left behind.
A large cast (18) bearing appropriate ethnic given names, Stewie, Sidney, Rose, Harry, etc. are perfectly cast as they arrive, one by one at the hospital for loving farewells for the about to become deceased. (much is comically made by his sons as to why prolong Dad’s suffering) as are all of David’s inspired insight into Jewish mores — with the savvy of a native of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn!
Since dividing the spoils seems to be a non-denominational event one can hope that David’s genius as a playwright should be encouraged to have more to say on his observances of the way of the world we live in right now. And Anna Shapiro’s fine direction keeps a long play at sit-com pace. Final kudos to Jayne Houdyshell for her perfect portrait of a pampered doting Jewish mother, who never quite ruled the roost or the rooster! (Cort theater, 138 W. 48th St., 212-239-6200, fishinthedark.com)
Next week, Bathsheba Doran’s moving tome “The Mysteries of Love and Sex” (book now at the Mitzi Newhouse, 212-239-6200). Go see David Ives gloriously daffy delight “Lives of the Saints” at Primary Stages. No one can put your face and mind in a more permanent grin than this learned mast of wit! Through March 27, tickets now at (646) 223-3010. The Duke, 229 W. 42nd St.