Minsky's - The New Musical ComedyAhmanson Theatre
(135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles 90012)
Date of reviewed performance: January 22, 2009
Cast
Billy Minsky - Christopher Fitzgerald
Buster - Kevin Cahoon
Maisie - Beth Leavel
Sunny - Megan Nicole Arnoldy
Giggles - Roxanne Barlow
Curls - Jennifer Bowles
Sylvie - Jennifer Frankel
Flossie - Sabra Lewis
Bubbles - Ariel Reed
Ginger - Angie Schworer
Borschtie - Sarrah Strimel
Boris - Paul Vogt
Jason Shimpkin - John Cariani
Scratch - Gerry Vichi
Flame - Kirsten Bracken
Sergeant Crowley, Dr. Vinkle, Waiter - Blake Hammond
Mary Sumner - Katharine Leonard
Dr. Vankle - Matt Loehr
Blind Man - Patrick Wetzel
Randolph Sumner - George Wendt
Mr. Freitag, Judge - Philip Hoffman
Beula - Rachel Dratch
Reporter - Jeffrey Schecter
Reporter - Stacey Todd Holt
Ensemble - Nathan Balser
Ensemble - Linda Griffin
Ensemble - Charlie Sutton
There are some things to love about this musical: the costumes are fun and daring; the sets are beautiful and there are some really interesting uses of space. In particular, there is a scene where the two lead characters are walking through the streets of New York, and there are layers of city blocks and intersections created by flats moving on and off the stage in a myriad of directions as other castmembers are revealed in the hustle bustle of city life. It's an amazing visual and it's so much fun to watch a city take shape right before your eyes. By far, this was my favorite part of the show.
There are some things that are just okay about this musical: primarily the music. This show doesn't have any songs that you are going to walk away humming. No "earworms" here (for better or worse). The music was written by Charles Strouse - who is arguably most famous for writing the musical Annie. Ironically, both Annie and Minsky's take place in Depression-era New York. Perhaps not so ironically, there is alot of similarity in the music of the two. Too much, in fact. It's been ages since I've seen Annie, but many intros into Minsky's songs are all too familiar. Of course, Annie's songs are memorable and are still cherished. Minsky's doesn't have either going for it. The songs in this show (lyrics by Susan Birkenhead) are simple, uninspired and quickly forgotten.
There are some things that are bad about this musical: the acting and many of the actors. I'm not saying the actors themselves are bad at their craft. I'm sure many of them work hard at what they do and have turned in good performances in the past. They did not, however, do that here. None of the characters are particularly charming and the performances are just adequate. Even George Wendt (Norm, from Cheers), who got a huge and vocal applause when he first appeared on stage - by the end of the night of barely ho-hum line deliveries, got the least enthusiastic reception at curtain call. It might not be the actors' fault - the writing is also pretty atrocious. See if this sounds familiar: a local establishment, both loved and hated by their community, has been targeted by an overly zealous politician on moral grounds and they're in danger of being shut down. If closed, many young girls who have run away from home or their old lives will have to find the opportunity to doff their duds for dollars elsewhere and are having a hard time thinking about leaving co-workers who are like family. If you think this premise sounds a whole lot like Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, you win a lollypop. It's hard to believe that a musical exists that is worse than Whorehouse - but you find it here with Minsky's. What adds insult to that injury is their identical storylines. It certainly doesn't get any better the second time around.
The final horrible thing about this show is the choreography. For a show about dancing girls, this was a show that terribly lacked quality dancing. There are entertaining moments, but those are few and far between. There is a song/joke that the girls do called "Who Needs Men When You've Got Bananas?" that IS funny and everytime the music starts for it the audience cracks up because they know what's coming. Unfortunately that is one number in a two act musical. Ther rest of it seems like it is in the early stages of development. Very early in the show there is a strange and pointless scene involving a couple of Freudian pyschiatrists - which turns into a wild and mirrored comedy-dance number. I'm sure someone thought it would be funny when they wrote it, but in reality it looks like something a high school student put together to distract the teacher from the quality of his content. Hang about, I think I'm on to something....
Verdict? Don't waste your money.
Minsky's - The New Musical Comedy:
