Theatre Review: "The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)"
By Kevin M. O’Toole

When contemplating attending Weston Playhouse Theatre Company’s production of "The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)" at its "Other Stages" venue at the Weston Rod and Gun Club, certainly one expects to see, well, a musical. I am not sure that anyone in last Thursday evening’s preview audience anticipated being treated to five hilarious send-ups of the composers and lyricists many of us who love stage musicals have come to know over the years, namely, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and John Kander and Fred Ebb. In the sure hands of Director Tim Fort and a talented cast of seasoned performers, it was all very silly and great fun.

Each playlet used the basic plot of a landlord who demands the back rent from a tenant who cannot pay it. Although not a requirement to enjoy the show, some familiarity of the works of the authors being satirized will enhance one’s take on the steady stream of jokes, puns and asides to more famous productions.

For example, "Corn," in the style of Rogers and Hammerstein, featured a landlord, Jidder, a tenant, June, and June's love interest, Big Willy, who together represent a playful poke at the characters of Jud Fry, Laurie and Curly from "Oklahoma." Set, of course, in Kansas in August, the corn is growing "belly high," (think "South Pacific"), a dream dance sequence is only "run of deMille" and Big Willy finally proposes to "June, June, just because she’s June" ("Carousel").

Scenic Designer Blair Mielnick halved the already intimate performing space of the Weston Rod and Gun Club, creating a stage reminiscent of the cabarets presented for years by WPTC in the basement of the Weston Playhouse. Performers were afforded easy access to simple costumes, and a revolving wall continually yielded surprises, such as a masked "Phantom" landlord surrounded by candles and candelabra.

What made Thursday evening’s preview performance such a treat, however, was the ensemble of actors who hit every note, delivered every joke and seemed to be having a blast. David Bonanno’s facility for comedy was evident in his turns as the self-involved Big Willy in "Corn," and a self-righteous revolutionary narrator in the Andrew Lloyd Webber-ish valentine,"Aspects of Junita." Another Weston favorite, Susan Haefner, was particularly impressive as she tackled speedy, obtuse lyrics in "A Little Complex," the take-off on the angst-ridden plays of Stephen Sondheim. Her self-important arm gestures as Junita were inspired.

Roger Sayer, who appeared as Jean Valjean in last season’s production of "Les Miserables" on WPTC’s main stage, again displayed his lilting baritone as he invoked Jud Fry, as well as the Phantom in his turns as Jidder, Jitter, Mr. Jitters, etc. Dorothy Stanley, who has appeared in some fifteen Broadway shows, also had game, whether as the sage female belting pearls of wisdom ala the Mother Superior in "The Sound of Music," or as one who was "looking swell" in the playful wink to Jerry Herman’s creation, Dolly Levi, in "Dear Abby."

It is ironic that this very traditional and affectionate nod to Broadway’s musical past is based upon overdue rent and a production of an untraditional rock musical that broke new ground in the 1990's, "Rent," is playing on WPTC’s main stage at the Weston Playhouse. What was past is indeed prologue.

Performances of "The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)" continue at the Weston Rod and Gun Club through September 6. For tickets, call the box office at (802) 824-5288 or go on-line at www.westonplayhouse.org.