RSS
Home
Finain's Rainbow is a Valentine for Broadway
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
There is always a pot of gold at the end of the Rainbow, especially if your name is Finian. Through the eyes and mind of director/choreographer, Warren Carlyle, this beloved musical becomes a Valentine to New York and all of us who love musical theatre. A half a century old, this new adaptation by Arthur Perlman, is a funny, relevant commentary of today's economic struggles. Class structure, greed and racism are it's vehicles. Not much has changed since 1947. The score by Burton Lane (music) and E.Y. Harburg (lyrics) is the heart and soul of "The American songbook" with such classics as ""How Are Things in Glocca Morra?" and "Old Devil Moon." Rob Berman's musical direction reinvents these songs and they are heard anew with voices that make you swoon with sheer contentment. As for the cast: There has never been a better Finian than Jim Norton. His twinkling meddling is a delight. You completely understand why Sharon allows her father's impish deeds to continue. Fiesty Kate Baldwin's lush voice and thoughtful acting gives Sharon the feel of a women of today. Falling for Broadway's leading man of choice, Cheyenne Jackson's, is no surprise. Jackson fits the bill of Woody to a tee, with his handsome good looks and smooth controlled voice. Christopher Fitzgerald as Og, the leprechaun who is losing more than his gold subtly steals the scenes he is in. As his pants diminish, he grows on us inch by inch. Terri White, brings down the house with her show stopping version of "Necessity;" Alina Faye express herself lithely as Woody's sister; Susan the silent. In a sequence with well-known blues musician Guy Davis, Susan emotes in dance as Sunny relates by harmonica. David Schramm as the bigoted white senator and Chuck Cooper as his counterpart prove two actors are better than one. When enlightened by a wish Cooper is joined by Bernard Dotson, James Stovall and Devin Richards who harmonize to audience approval with "The Begat.""When the Idle Poor Become the Idle Rich" illustrates the illusion of wealth, much like Bernie Madoff and for once we can laugh at the irony of it all. The rainbow weaving it’s magic is Carlyle's choreography. Reminiscent of Michael Kidd Carlyle has turned dance routines into works of art, defining the moments of the score and script alike. Magic is around every corner and this show will enchant even the most cynical of hearts.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
