My Review: Goodspeed's "Summer Stock"
The show: “Summer Stock” at Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Ct.
What makes it special?: It’s (kind of) a new/old musical, based on the 1950 film “Summer Stock” starring Judy Garland and Gene Kelly. Also in the film is a host of great character actors and comedians: Eddie Bracken, Phil Silvers, Gloria DeHaven , Carleton Carpenter, Hans Conried, and Marjorie Main.
Anyone of interest in this show?: Corbin Bleu will sell some tickets, having starred in the 2006 film ”High School Musical” on the Disney Channel. He was also in the 2019 Broadway revival of “Kiss Me Kate” and starred in the stage adaptation of another film musical, “Holiday Inn” on Broadway (which started at Goodspeed.) He is a sensational dancer, fine singer and very likable and in this dance-centric star turn I would place him among the top of his generation’s musical theater talents.
BTW: What’s with these old movies being made into stage musicals?: Many feel it’s a safer bet if the title is familiar to folks, even if the original material isn’t exactly stellar. Also film studios are eager to find ways of making money off of work in their vast libraries because the time is increasingly narrow for audiences who even know what some of these films are.
The Goodspeed show is produced by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatrical Ventures. VenuWorks Theatricals is also involved so I would guess there’s more than a little interest in moving this show on, a la “Holiday Inn", hence the bit of star power here with Bleu. Commercial producer Carolyn Rossi Copeland is listed as executive producer of the show.
What is the plot?: A theatrical troupe in Manhattan needing rehearsal space goes to a Connecticut farm, of course, and winds up helping the owner out — who’s on the verge of losing the homestead — first by doing chores and then by putting on its show in the barn in the hopes of raising money to keep the place afloat.
So do you think this show will move on? It’s a family-friendly show with just a handful of songs remaining from the film — and the addition of a slew of familiar-though-disparate songs from the first half of the 20th Century. The title, too, might ring some bells with older audiences though you might have to explain what “summer stock theater” is people under 50. But at least at this point of the show’s development, it’s more Branson than Broadway, though it could have a future in some presenting houses around the country — if enough work is done on it.
What kind of work?: The book which is significantly refashioned from the bones of the lame screenplay is still disappointing with stock characters, generic dialogue and a considerable lack of wit or cleverness in the script and staging. The dancing, which is the show’s main recommendation, is very satisfying and the ensemble works its toes off. And while there’s a lot of great dancing — especially tap (in which Bleu is a master) — there are few ‘wow’ moments — and taking a single swing from a rope isn’t one of them. (In the film Kelly memorably did a terrific “newspaper tear” dance — a bit fitfully appropriated in the musical “Newsies” and danced by Ryan Steele.)
Also, the first half of the second act is a slog. As for the music, many of the inserted songs in the show seem shoe-horned in, and some bizarrely placed or performed. Songs not in the film include “It Had to Be You,” “It’s Only a Paper Moon,” “The Best Things in Life Are Free,” “Always,” “Me and My Shadow” and very weirdly Sophie Tucker’s signature song “Some of These Days,” (and in one refrain oddly set to a salsa beat).
Not wanting to wear out its welcome, the film clocked in at a brisk 108 minutes This stage show is nearly an hour longer, including intermission, so there’s plenty for Cheri Steinkellner, who adapted the screenplay by George Wells and Sy Gromber, to cut, trim and and brighten.
More comedy is also needed in this “musical comedy.” Veanne Cox, the villianous dowager intent on buying the family-farm hold-out for her land empire, does her best with what she is given enhanced by her deliciously dry takes. Will Roland has some funny moments as her subservant son. But both — and a few others — sometimes went grand ham in moments of comic desperation.
And the others in the cast?: Gilbert L. Bailey II is a bundle of energy as the show-within-a-show’s composer. Stephen Lee Anderson is solid in the trope of the genial farm father figure. Arianna Rosario lands every line and note with assurance and style
And in the Judy Garland role?: Danielle Wade is OK in the conventional and bland role as the sister who gave up the possibility of a career to stay on the farm while her sister (Rosario) pursued her dream to become a show biz star. Yawn. Wade is given little to make an impression, that is until the finale when she echoes Judy’s iconic “Get Happy” number (in the film staged by Charles Walters). Here director Donna Feore choreographed the number inspired by the original and gives the show a needed lift in the end.
How’s it look?: Wilson Chin does what he can with the small Goodspeed stage and the show’s design is pretty much standard barn.. (To see what you can do with that kind of rustic envirnment I refer you to Scott Pask’s Tony Award-nominated design in “Shucked.”) Costumes by Tina McCartney, lighting by Jeff Croiter and sound by Jay Hilton are all first-rate, as is the orchestrations and arrangements by Doug Besterman, under the music direction of Adam Souza.
Who will like it?: Older audiences feeling nostalgic. Dance fans. The farm crowd.
Who won’t?: Those wanting something more sharp, witty or special from theater-makers hitching their wagon to an old film property.
For the kids:: They may grow weary of the length but young ones might like the dancing. Teens, not so much.
Twitter review in 140 characters or less: ‘Crazy for You’ it ain’t.
Thoughts on leaving the parking lot: Like the recent revamped “Dial M for Murder’ at the Westport Country Plahouse, this “revisical” creates brand new plot and character problems as it tries to solve older ones. Hopefully, the creators will take a clear-eyed look at what they have and not get lulled by the sweet summer air. What might play fabulously in a barn on a moonlit midsummer’s night might not be so splendid elsewhere.
Info: The show runs through Aug. 27. The show runs approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. NOTE: Due to construction, the East Haddam Swing Bridge will be closed to traffic after the 6:30pm performance on Sundays. You will be able to use the bridge when you come to the show, but may need to take an alternate route home. Click the Goodspped.org website .For all other performances, the bridge will be open.
