Reviewer: Howard Steven Frydman aka “The Howard”
Production: 42nd STREET – The Tap Dance Spectacular
Theater: Goodspeed Opera House
Book by: Michael Stewart & Mark Bramble
Music by: Harry Warren
Lyrics by: Al Dubin
Director & Choreography by: Randy Skinner
The Howard says – “42nd STREET! “A MUSICAL HAPPENING NOT TO BE MISSED”!
If Goodspeed Musicals most current production –the Tony Award winning “42nd Street- The Tap-Dancing Spectacular”, was a feast- I would deem it a most succulent affair indeed! Yes- I do say it’s a heavenly feast – a pre-Thanksgiving feast for the eyes, the senses and the soul! I simply imply that this marvelous musical morsel is SUPERLATIVE in every way. Friends you are about to witness one of the FINEST Musical performances that has come along in quite a bit! Directed and Choreography by Randy Skinner, “42nd Street – The Tap Dance Spectacular”, based on the 1933 Warner Bros. film, will be in production till November 6th at the Goodspeed in East Haddam, Connecticut. I say our Thanksgiving Musical Blessings have come early this year!!!
Just like the beautiful Autumn setting of the Goodspeed overlooking the Connecticut River I am simply overwhelmed, literally verklempt, (full of emotion) by what I have just witnessed on the stage of the Goodspeed –music and dancing perfection – simply said “it’s just that darn good’! Folks come from far and away to “the home of “Annie” to see the best, nay, the finest, of Musical productions this side of NYC- and let me tell you “42nd Street” does not disappoint. A myriad of greatness is being presented here- it all comes together with singing, dancing- oh that Rat-A-Tat-Tat TAP Dancing- going a mile a minute. Believe you me – folks are in their seats- tapping and dancing along. It all works so seamlessly. I don’t care if you know the 42nd Street story or not- but I’m sure our audience does, but once curtain rises and you see those amazing string of singer dancers performing their hearts out for you – you know that you are indeed part of a musical momentous happening!
Yes- it’s a “Gabriel Come Blow Your Horn” moment here at the Goodspeed- I guess what I am saying is this production from the very start, in my judgement, is just Heavenly- with the opening happy hoofer showstopper “42nd Street, and following with the entire Harry Warren/Al Dubin score – “Young and Healthy”, the gorgeously mounted “Shadow Waltz”, “Go into Your Dance”, “You’re Getting to be a Habit With Me”, “I Only Have Eyes For You”, “We’re In The Money”, Lullaby of Broadway”, “Shuffle Off to Buffalo” and Yes- “come meet those dancing feet- on the avenue I’m taking you to”-the iconic- “42nd Street”!
As they say the tale is as old as time- and continues to this day- the dream – making it BIG in the Big Apple. It’s the theatrical tale that started it all off, – meet our ingénue- Miss Peggy Sawyer (Carina-Kay Louchiey), just off the bus from Allentown PA., only a few cents in her pocket, (it’s the great Depression you know), has not eaten in days, taps till she faints and before you can say, “the Sun’ll Come out Tomorrow” she’s starring in hotshot Broadway producer Julian Marsh’s (Max von Essen) newest musical production – “Pretty Lady”. Hmmm? Was it really an accident that Peggy tripped leading lady- the “Diva-licious Dorothy Brock (Kate Baldwin) breaking her ankle”? I’ll never tell! Ever tap-dancing throughout, Peggy is quickly introduced to fellow members of the troupe – hoofer Billy Lawyer, (Blake Stadnik), writers Maggie Jones, (Lisa Howard) and Bert Barry (E. Clayton Cornelious), Dorothy’s secret love- former vaudevillian Pat Denning (Patrick Oliver Jones) and Dorothy’s Texan “Sugar-Daddy”, Abner Dillon (David Jennings), and lastly the greatest ensemble of singers and tap-dancers this side of the “Chrysler Building” – which by luck, can also be found on “42nd Street”!
My friends, let me first take note of the ensemble- I was impressed by each and every one of them, tap dancing a mile a minute for your pleasure – they include: Willie Clyde Beaton II, Sarah Dearstyne, Berklea Going, Candice Hatakeyama, Danielle Jackman, Edward Juvier, Taylor Lane, Brian Shimasaki Liebson, Brady Miller, Christian Probst, Christopher Shin, Kirsty Fuller and Derek Luscutoff. I am simply in awe of two of our main cast – firstly, Carina-Kay Louchiey as Peggy Sawyer, OMG she’s like “the Flash” what impressive tap-dancing skills! Secondly-What do you say about a true star- my friends, two-time Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin as Dorothy is simply a delight to behold, and what great vocals – she steals every scene AND I loved it! Lastly, the coveted “Howard Noticed You Award” goes to Dance Captain, Kirsty Fuller, who during the performance that I attended, undertook the role of Diane Lorimer- Miss Fuller- you have made an indelible impression and are a most promising New Star indeed!! My friends, “42nd Street- is a “not to be missed event”! Enjoy!!
Performances for “42nd Street” is in production till November 6th, 2022. Curtain times are Wednesday at 2:00p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (with select performances at 2:00p.m.), Friday at 8:00 pm, and Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. (with select performances at 6:30 p.m.). Tickets are available through the Box Office (860.873.8668), open weekdays at 10:00 a.m. and weekends at11:00 a.m., or online at goodspeed.org.
Howard Steven Frydman is General Manager and Executive Director of BATV – Channels 5, 95 & 96 and a member of the CCC. Please feel free to contact Mr. Frydman with your thoughts and ideas at TheHoward24@gmail.com.
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