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Coming up next at The Goodspeed is "All Shook Up," a musical comedy inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley.
The Terris Theatre, the second stage of Goodspeed Musicals in Chester, has produced “Maltby & Shire’s About Time, a new musical revue about life, love & laughter in your third act.”
David Shire wrote the music for the show tunes that make up this review, and Richard Maltby, Jr. wrote the lyrics. Maltby directed the production of his work and was sitting in the audience on press night. Shire is an Academy and Grammy Award-winner and multiple Tony and Emmy Award-nominee. His credits include the score for “Norma Rae” and “Saturday Night Fever.” Maltby conceived and directed “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “Fosse” on Broadway, and was the co-lyricist for “Miss Saigon.”
In the Writers’ Notes, Maltby notes that the team has written two reviews: “Starting Here, Starting Now” in 1977, which contained songs of young love, and “Closer Than Ever” about more adult relationships. This third musical review completes the “story of a life,” exploring the third face of life, “when people can for the first time look back and see their life’s full trajectory.” The trilogy of reviews have been titled “Life: A Musical (Parts I, II and III.)
Maltby adds that all of the reviews in the series are made up of songs that are based on reality and that it has become apparent through several workshops that no two people seem to see the same show. “There is something primal in these personal songs. The stories they tell are unique and often surprising, and yet people recognize themselves in them.” I could certainly relate to the frustrations of an aging actress expressed in “Done.”
Marcia Milgrom Dodge worked on the choreography and musical staging for the long list of musical numbers. The audience can relate when the performers pretend to catch their breath after the dancing in the opening number. The often clever musical numbers are interspersed with very relatable vignettes about the golden years of life. The second act has a slightly more somber tone, but it also has touches of humor about aging.
The music direction by Deniz Cordell is a joy to behold as he conducts with his head while he performs on his piano. His creative playing of the score as he sings along with the vocalists is mesmerizing and he especially shines when leading the a cappella portions or reacting to scripted bit. Cordell has worked with Maltby and Shire since 2015 and has impressive credits as musical director/conductor, arranger, orchestrator, writer, composer/lyricist, performer and pianist.
Annie Pasqua is onstage across from her husband on piano two, except for a piece that opens the second act, when she sits beside him to perform on the same piano. Scott Chaurette covers the bass line on both upright and electric bass.
The cast is a mix of six multi-talented Equity actors, all of whom possess powerful singing voices that are on display for all of the charming musical numbers. The characters are named after the actor who portrays them.
Darius de Haas, who appeared on Broadway in “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and “Rent,” and provided the singing voice of Shy Baldwin on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” on television, shines in “What Do I Tell the Children” and charms in the fun “Keys.”
Daniel Jenkins makes his first appearance at Goodspeed. He appeared on Broadway in “Billy Elliot,” “Big,” and “Big River,” and is the composer of “Feast Here Tonight.” Jenkins shares the piano bench with the music director to play banjo on one number. My favorite number of Jenkins’ is “Smart People,” a smart nod to Jews.
Eddie Korbich, a proud Ukrainian-American, opens the performance with “Show Tune” and plays two genders in the touching “Kensington Kenny.” Korbich most recently had fun playing Drunk Jerry in “Drag: The Musical” at New World Stages.
Shinnerrie Jackson, an actress and Assistant Professor of Theatre at The University of Tennessee, comes to life in “Only When I Laugh.”
Issy van Randwyck, a triple Oliver Award nominee that has performed widely in the United Kingdom, performs well in “Little Susan Lawrence” and “”To Be Alive.”
Lynne Wintersteller, who was part of “Fiorello,” “Bells Are Ringing,” and “Something’s Afoot” at Goodspeed, is stellar in “No One Will Know” and other numbers.
Costumes designed by Tracy Christensen are contemporary and flattering, augmented by some add on pieces to draw out a character. There is noticeably lovely lighting design by Mitchell Fenton and great sound design by Jay Hilton. The new musical must close on June 15. Tickets at https://bit.ly/3HBqJla
Coming up next at The Goodspeed is “All Shook Up,” a musical comedy inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley, running June 27 through Aug. 17 at the Opera House. Tickets at goodspeed.org.
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