The Reviews Are In...

[Black Solace]

From the Community section of the Paragon Times, 29th Aug, 2011:

Switch-hitting Yankees Strikes Out

Theatre Review

Damn Yankees – Nimbus Performing Arts Centre, Aug 27 – Sep 5; Dir. Edgar Radivojevic; Ch. Selina Fleiss; St. Saul Zaza, Albert Klein, Sondra Blake, James Brindeman, Elspeth Hendry

The tale of Faust has been retold many times and in many ways. One of the more inventive versions was the stage musical Damn Yankees which first opened on Broadway in 1955. Here the story is that of a middle-aged baseball fan who sells his soul to the devil in order to become a star slugger and lead his beloved Washington Senators to the championship.

The original production, featuring music by Adler and Ross and choreography by the legendary Bob Fosse, left us with many classic songs and characters. But while the tale of Faust may be timeless, the story, look, music, and feel of the stage play are very much grounded in the culture of its time. Revivals that fail to acknowledge and celebrate that cultural grounding tend to fall flat.

Which brings us to the East Paragon Youth Theatre Association’s 2011 production. Director Edgar Radivojevic, brought in from Europe to add some flair to the Association’s normally staid programs, has not only chosen to throw away the mid-fifties setting of the original, but has gone the extra mile by re-imagining it in two different directions. The costumes and art style have been backdated to the 1930s, providing an unusual but surprisingly glamorous look to the show. The music and choreography on the other hand, have been given a thoroughly modern revamp. Either choice may have worked on its own, and I admit the costumes were stunning, but together they create a jarring effect that prevents the audience from losing itself in the story.

The cast, drawn from youth theatre programs across Paragon City, seem a little lost themselves. James Brindeman and Elspeth Hendry are serviceable if somewhat forgettable as the Boyds. If their goal was to simulate a boring middle-aged couple then perhaps they succeeded too well. Visible meta Sondra Blake as Lola, while obviously the most talented singer and dancer in the cast, gives a performance as colorless as her slate grey skin. The real standout is Saul Zaza as Joe, who introduces a tragic element to the character as a man who feels trapped and haunted despite having achieved his life-long dream.

To my mind though, the make or break character in Damn Yankees will always be Mr. Applegate and Albert Klein is simply not up to the task. While clearly a gifted comedic actor with great potential, here he is guilty of trying too hard and attempting to force laughs. Eschewing Ray Walston’s inimitable understated characterization, Klein has instead taken his cues from Phil Silvers, then amped his mannerisms beyond slapstick into the realm of camp gay.

Musically the performances range from good to excellent despite the odd electronic jazz arrangements and sometimes distracting thumping bass. Standout numbers include There’s Something About An Empty Chair, A Little Brains, A Little Talent, Whatever Lola Wants, and Two Lost Souls. Hendry and Blake both have beautiful voices, and the latter’s chemistry with Zaza on Two Lost Souls provides the closest thing to an emotional punch to be found in this otherwise mechanical production.

Overall the show lacks identity. The retro art style sets one up for a fun romp, leaving the audience feeling confused and possibly even betrayed when the anachronistic musical numbers kick in. Chorus numbers like Six Months and Heart really suffer from this approach and also have the weakest arrangements. The end result is a cold and sterile version of a musical that was meant to be pure fun. GRADE: C-
- Harold Lipstein